Israel levels Palestinian homes

Israeli authorities have torn down several Palestinian houses in occupied east Jerusalem, defying international calls to halt the demolitions in the disputed city. The United Nations on Tuesday called for an immediate halt to all forced evictions and demolitions of Palestinian homes in the area, which was seized by Israel in the 1967 war. "Such actions run counter to international law and have a serious and long-term negative impact on Palestinian families and communities," the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement. "The UN reiterates its call for an immediate and unconditional halt to such actions and urges the state of Israel to protect the civilian population in OPT [occupied Palestinian Territories] from further displacement and dispossession." At least 600 Palestinians have been displaced by evictions and demolitions since the beginning of the year, according to OCHA, and many thousands more may be at risk.