JERUSALEM, Thursday, August 10, 2023 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation authorities forced a Jerusalemite family from the town of Beit Hanina, north of occupied Jerusalem, to self-demolish part of their house, in order to avoid the heavy fines that would be paid in the event that the occupation forces demolished it.

Local sources told WAFA that a Jerusalemite family had added 45 square meters to their house but the occupation authorities forced them to self-demolish this part of the house.

Since the beginning of this year, the area has witnessed an escalation in demolitions of Palestinian homes under the pretext of building without a permit.

The area has also seen an increased risk of forcible eviction of hundreds of Palestinians from homes in which they have lived for decades in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan in favor of Israeli settlers, according to a report issued by the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs.

The occupation municipality continues to target the homes and facilities of Jerusalemites, and does not allow them to build or expand, claiming that they do not obtain permits from it, knowing that it does not give them easily, and they [Palestinians in Jerusalem] are forced to pay hundreds of thousands of shekels to obtain them.

After a Palestinians from Jerusalem builds their houses, the occupation municipality pursues them by imposing building violations, forcing them to self-demolish, or else the municipality staff carries out the demolition and forcing Jerusamelite Palestinians for a heavy fine imposed on him.

K.T.