Fact check

Multiple independent and primary sources (UN OCHA, B'Tselem, Israeli Ministry of Defense) report significant percentage increases in demolition numbers for 2026 compared with previous quarters and years, indicating acceleration. However, two official Israeli sources (Ministry of Interior press release and a Jerusalem Post editorial citing the same ministry) claim demolition activity has remained stable or even declined in the first half of 2026. The preponderance of data points to a rise, especially in the latter half of the year, but the conflicting official narratives prevent a fully definitive conclusion.

The supporting data refer specifically to the third quarter of 2026 and year‑on‑year order counts, while the contradicting statements refer to overall annual averages or the first half of 2026. Seasonal or operational variations could explain the discrepancy. Independent monitoring (B'Tselem) corroborates the increase, whereas official Israeli ministries present a more stable picture.