JERUSALEM, October 28, 2024 (WAFA) - Israeli occupation authorities Monday forced a Palestinian citizen to self-demolish his home in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Hanina.

The owner of the house, Saber Al-Qawasmi told WAFA that Israeli forces, accompanied by staff from the so-called Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem, raided the house this morning and handed him a notice to demolish it within three weeks, or else the Israeli municipality would demolish it and obligate him to pay the exorbitant costs.

Al-Qawasmi stated that he built his 75-square-meter house around 15 years ago and has since incurred financial penalties totaling up to NIS 46,000 in an effort to obtain a license to prevent its demolition. However, despite his considerable efforts, all attempts have ultimately failed.

In occupied Jerusalem, Israeli authorities compel Palestinian citizens to demolish their own homes under the pretext of lacking building permits. Those who refuse face demolition by occupation bulldozers, resulting in significant financial penalties for the homeowners.

The Jerusalem municipality refuses to issue building permits to Palestinian citizens, compelling them to either demolish their homes or face demolition by Israeli authorities. This practice violates international laws and humanitarian norms that uphold the right to housing. It forms part of a broader strategy by the occupation to systematically displace Palestinians from Jerusalem to facilitate the expansion of colonies in the area.

A report issued by the Jerusalem governorate revealed that during the third quarter of 2024, there were a total of 154 demolitions and excavations in the Jerusalem area. This figure includes 24 forced demolitions and 118 demolitions conducted by occupation authorities, along with 12 excavation activities.

T.R.