Israeli army demolishes a Palestinian school’s external wall

Armed Israeli soldiers raided a Palestinian village in ‘AreaC’, declared the school a closed military zone, before proceeding to demolish part of its external wall, and confiscated a mobile container that was used as a cafeteria.

JENIN, Monday, October 28, 2019 (WAFA) — Israeli forces demolished this morning part of the wall of a school in the village of Thahr al-Maleh, located in Area C and isolated behind Israel’s separation barrier, and seized a container, according to local sources.

Omar Khatib, head of Thahr al-Maleh village council, told WAFA that an Israeli army force raided the village and declared the school a closed military zone, adding that they prevented students and their families from reaching the school before proceeding to demolish part of its external wall.

The soldiers also seized a container the school was using as a cafeteria for the students and teachers..

In June, Israeli forces, accompanied by staff from the Israeli military’s planning and building committee, stormed and raided the same school, where a new project for the construction of a clinic and a fence for the school was underway.

The forces reportedly seized construction equipment to prevent the completion of the project, citing unpermitted construction as a pretext.

Israel prevents Palestinian construction in Area C, which makes up over 60 percent of the area of the occupied West Bank and is under full Israeli military control.

The Dahr Al Maleh Elementary Mixed School, located south of Jenin in the northern occupied West Bank, has been under constant threat of being demolished and has not been granted permission for any construction on its premises.

Due to the lack of space, parents donated a mobile container for the school to utilise as a cafeteria and kitchen, according to Khatib. Israeli troops confiscated tools, a refrigerator, gas stove, cleaning equipment and stationery, he said.

The school also known as “Tahaddi (Challenge) 17 School” opened in January, with Italian support. It has 38 students aged five to 15 years old and employs eight teachers.

Back in November 2018, Israeli forces confiscated building materials during its construction period. In June, the Israeli foces took away a tractor and more building materials while the school was being further developed.

Israeli authorities claim the school is outside the structural plan demarcated for the village, although its foundation is only 20 metres off the plan, Khatib said.

“Israel issued a decision to demolish the school on 2 January, and the village lawyer succeeded in consolidating its decision,” he added.