JERUSALEM, December 21, 2024 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation authorities on Saturday forced two Palestinian citizens to demolish their homes in occupied Jerusalem, according to local sources.
The Palestinian Authority's Jerusalem Governorate reported that the all-Israeli Municipality pressured resident Hani Shkeirat to demolish part of his home in the Jabal al-Mukaber neighborhood, south of Jerusalem, claiming it was built without a permit.
Local sources also confirmed that the municipality forced Mahmoud Aqil, another Palestinian citizen, to demolish his home in the Silwan neighborhood, located south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, under the pretext of unlicensed construction. Aqil’s home spans 60 square meters, and he lives there with his wife and two children.
In a related development, the Israeli Municipality issued a demolition order to a member of the Ebayat family in Jabal al-Mukaber, further escalating pressure on Palestinians in the area.
Israeli occupation authorities routinely force Palestinian residents of Jerusalem to demolish their own homes, claiming the lack of building permits. Those who resist face the destruction of their homes by Israeli bulldozers, in addition to hefty fines imposed on the owners.
The Israeli Municipality in Jerusalem consistently refuses to grant building permits to Palestinian residents, making it impossible for them to legally construct homes.
This practice, which violates international law and human rights conventions, is part of Israel’s broader efforts to displace Palestinians from Jerusalem while expanding illegal settlements in the city and its surroundings.
M.N
