Following widescale demolitions in Al Maleh on Thursday 17th January the Israeli occupation forces returned to confiscate all the community’s possessions, including food, bedding, and tents that had been demolished, leaving families with no means to rebuild their lives. In addition the whole area has remained a Closed Military Zone since the demolitions and the road has been closed off.

Demolitions, destruction of property, confiscation of animals, vehicles and water tanks have become regular occurrences and an integral part of the repression Jordan Valley communities face from the Israeli Occupation Forces, Israeli police, and settlers. However, these recent events, with the confiscation of household goods and closure of the road are a new development. We are concerned that this could represent a new phase in attempts to accelerate the ethnic cleansing of communities in the Jordan Valley.