Israeli forces on Tuesday delivered demolition orders against a number of Palestinian houses to the east of Yatta town, south of AlKhalil, reported a local activist.

Coordinator of the Resistance Committees in Masafer Yatta, Fouad al-Amour, was quoted by WAFA news agency as stating that Israeli forces posted demolition orders on the external walls of a number of houses in At-Tuwani village and Massafer Yatta, which are both comprised of 22 small localities and hamlets.

The demolition orders targeted brick-and-tin-built shacks and a health unit in At-Tuwani, Ar Rakeez and Sarura hamlets, purportedly for being built without licenses.

Al-Amour added that that Israeli forces ordered a halt on the restoration works of a cave to be used to shelter a family in Khirbet al Fakheit, as well as the removal of a water network in Khirbet Asafi.

The soldiers took photos of a number of houses and a local school in Khirbet al Majaz pending their demolition.

Almost a week ago, Israeli forces issued demolition and stop-work orders against several Palestinian structures in Masafer Yatta as a means to forcefully displace the residents and make room for the expansion of the illegal Israeli colonial settlements.

Masafer Yatta is a collection of almost 19 hamlets which rely heavily on animal husbandry as the main source of livelihood.

Located in Area C of the West Bank, under full Israeli administrative and military control, the area has been subjected to repeated Israeli violations by settlers and soldiers targeting their main source of living - livestock.

It has been designated as a closed Israeli military zone for training since 1980s and accordingly referred to as Firing Zone 918.

Israeli violations against the area include demolition of animal barns, homes and residential structures. Issuance of construction permits by Israel to local Palestinians in the area is non-existent.