Machinery clears rubble from demolished motel at Gazivode, workers swim in lake

Machinery is clearing rubble today from the shores of Gazivode Lake following the demolition of the Jezero motel.

While residents of the village of Rezala, on the shore of Gazivode Lake, anxiously await to see whether and when machinery will arrive to demolish their properties—including houses, holiday homes, and the village hall where they celebrate patron saint's days—trucks and an excavator arrived in the village today, although for the time being for a different purpose.

According to a Kosovo Online reporter at the scene, trucks and an excavator were present, with the excavator positioned on a pile of rubble—all that remained of the former Jezero motel, which was demolished on July 30 before the court had responded to the owner's request for an interim measure.

The machinery was operating while workers swam in the lake at the beach of the former motel.

So far, 17 structures have been demolished at Gazivode Lake, while another 11 are scheduled for removal under the Ibar-Lepenac company's plan. The deadline given by the company to families whose properties have not yet been demolished expired two days ago.

The Jezero motel and other structures were demolished despite the European Union's call for an immediate halt to further demolitions, forced evictions, or property takeovers until concerns regarding due process, proportionality, property rights, human rights, and effective legal remedies had been adequately addressed.