JERUSALEM, February 10, 2011 (WAFA) - Israeli Ministry of Defense issued a decision, effective until 5/8/2011, to seize a Palestinian building in Batn Al-Hawa neighborhood in Silwan, south of Jerusalem.

The ministry gave residents of the building, comprising seven families and a mosque, 14 days to appeal the decision.

Israeli forces transformed the roof of the building into an observation point several months ago under security pretexts.

Rushdi Abu Rmouz, one of the building residents, said: “The decision bans residents from going up on the roof to fix solar heaters, water tanks and satellite receivers without coordination with the Israeli Army.”

Abu Rmouz added that Israeli soldiers provoke residents and curse them. However, he asserted that Palestinians living in the building remain at their houses despite this harrassment, and he called on humanitarian and legal organizations to intervene to restore the residents' rights.

Israeli forces also raided Beit Dajan village in Nablus on Thursday.

Five Israeli military cars entered Beit Dajan village, east of Nablus, and soldiers took photographs of a historical mosque, several historical sites and various locations in the village, according to Nasr Abu Jeish, the chief of the village council.

When Abu Jeish asked the Israeli officer about the reason behind these measures, he answered that they are taken for “security purposes.”

R.S./F.J.