The UN Human Rights Office in the Palestinian territory has urged Israel not to follow through on demolition orders it issued for “11 homes and vital community infrastructure” in the village of Umm al-Khair.

In a statement, the UN office said the mass demolition orders in Hebron governorate are “emblematic of an ever-escalating wave of Israeli steps to consolidate annexation of the West Bank”.

Israeli authorities have long subjected village residents to “persistent discriminatory land regulations”, while Israeli settlers “have been allowed to expand settlements” and carry out escalating ats of violence, it said.

“Time is ticking – the international community must exercise pressure to protect Umm al-Khair residents from the imminent threat of forced displacement.”