Eyewitnesses said that the Israeli authorities stormed the Arab village of Al-Araqib in the Negev region and demolished its homes for the 212th time. Israel does not recognize Al-Araqib, while about 22 families who live there insist on staying on their land despite the repeated demolition.
On Tuesday, the Israeli authorities demolished the Arab village of Al-Araqib, located in the Negev region (south), for the 212th time in a row, according to eyewitnesses.
Eyewitnesses said, "Israeli bulldozers, under police protection, stormed the village and demolished its homes for the 212th time," according to Anadolu Agency.
Witnesses stated that "Israeli forces forced the villagers out of tin houses and tents before bulldozers demolished them despite the cold weather."
The Israeli authorities demolished the village for the first time in July 2010, and since then, every time it has been demolished, the residents have rebuilt it, the last of which was on December 25, 2022.
The Israeli government does not recognize the village of Al-Araqib, which is built of wood, plastic and tin, while about 22 families who live in it insist on staying on their land despite the repeated demolition of it.
According to the "Zochrot" organization, which includes Israeli activists (Jews and Arabs) and chronicles the Palestinian Nakba in 1948, Al-Araqib was built for the first time during the Ottoman rule on lands purchased by the residents.
The organization stated that the authorities are working to expel the villagers in order to control their lands, noting that Israel does not recognize dozens of other villages in the Negev region and refuses to provide them with any services.
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