The Civil Administration's supervision unit, acting on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's directive, demolished a series of large illegal Palestinian buildings in strategic locations in northern Samaria on Tuesday morning, the agency said. The demolished structures included a four-story, 800-square-meter building used for industry and housing, and a 450-square-meter commercial and industrial building. The enforcement follows recent terror attacks in the area.
The Civil Administration's supervision unit, acting on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's directive, demolished two large illegal Palestinian buildings in strategic locations in northern Samaria on Tuesday morning. The operation targeted a four-story, 800-square-meter building used for industry and housing, and a 450-square-meter commercial and industrial structure, both located near Junction 9 and Route 60, close to the community of Emek Dotan. The Civil Administration stated that the enforcement follows recent terror attacks in the area.
The Zioneer first reported the demolition at 08:10 Jerusalem, with initial accounts including a statement from Smotrich that the operation was part of efforts to 'exact a price on the ground and prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.' Subsequent updates dropped that quote and focused on the technical details of the enforcement, confirming the dimensions and location of the demolished structures. The buildings were reportedly constructed without permits in Area C, which is under full Israeli civil and security control.
The demolition is the latest in a series of enforcement actions under Smotrich's policy of stepping up demolitions of illegal Palestinian construction in Judea and Samaria. As The Zioneer has reported, Smotrich has also advanced major infrastructure projects, including a NIS 1 billion road plan for the region and the renovation of the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, as part of a broader effort to bolster Israeli civilian presence and sovereignty in the area.
The specific terror attacks that prompted this operation were not detailed in the Civil Administration's announcement. It remains unclear whether the demolished structures were directly linked to the attacks or were targeted as part of a broader enforcement push.
3 developments
- DevelopingCivil Administration demolishes 14 illegal Palestinian buildings in seam zone
- ConfirmedSmotrich orders expedited establishment of new settlement, demolition of illegal structures after Samaria terror attack
- Developing4 illegal outposts established overnight in Samaria after Tel attack
- DevelopingCivil Administration demolished Judea and Samaria home, demands payment from owner in precedent-setting case
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