Israel demolishes Palestinian structures in East Jerusalem, Hebron

Israeli authorities on Tuesday demolished several Palestinian structures in East Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Hebron, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The OCHA told EFE that a structure in East Jerusalem's Ath-Thuri village -- under Israeli occupation since 1967 -- had been demolished, as had a structure in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, EFE news reported.

Excavators arrived early with Israeli soldiers to the East Jerusalem districts of Silwan and Jabal Mukkaber, where they demolished agricultural structures.

The number of such demolitions has increased over the course of this year in East Jerusalem -- so far this year, they have tripled those of last year, according to Israeli NGO Ir Amim.

Many of the structures are built without permission from the Israeli authorities, who rarely authorise construction for Palestinians in East Jerusalem.

The reason for Tuesday's demolitions remained unknown.

--IANS

py/dg