Photo Story: Israel demolishes Palestinian homes on Jerusalem outskirts

An Israeli army bulldozer demolishes a building in the Palestinian village of Sur Baher, in East Jerusalem on Monday 22nd July 2019.

Israeli authorities decided to demolish at least six Palestinian residential buildings housing hundreds of Palestinian families, because they are located near the Israeli separation wall.

Israel says they were built too close to the wall.

Palestinians accuse Israel of using security as a pretext to force them out of the area as part of long-term efforts to expand settlements and roads linking them.

They also point out that most of the buildings are located in areas meant to be under Palestinian Authority civilian control under the agreements between the Palestinian and Israeli governments.

Photos: EPA-EFE/ABED AL HASHLAMOUN