On Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2023, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) demolished Al-Araqib village in the Negev, for the 212th consecutive time.
The IOF troops stormed the village of Al-Araqib early today and demolished its homes for the 212th time, leaving entire families homeless, including children and women.
Homes in Al-Araqib, inhabited by 22 Palestinian families, are built of wood and plastic.
The demolition was the second within a month, and the 15th since the beginning of 15. It was demolished 14 times in 2021.
The village was first destroyed in 2010 and rebuilt after every demolition since then.
The demolition of Al-Araqib and other villages in the Negev is believed to be a systematic Israeli policy aimed at expelling the native population from the Negev and transferring them to government-zoned areas to pave the way to expand and build settlements for Jewish communities.
Araqib village was first established during the Ottoman era, on land purchased by its residents.
Israeli authorities seek to seize control of the lands and expel its residents, with dozens of other villages and Bedouin communities facing the same threat in the Negev area.
Since the 1948 Palestinian Nakba, the Israeli authorities have destroyed more than 500 Palestinian villages and towns.
