BETHLEHEM, March 31, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation forces notified a Palestinian resident of the village of Al-Walaja, located northwest of Bethlehem, on Monday to pay the costs of demolishing her house, despite the fact that she had already demolished it herself in 2017.

Activist Ibrahim Awadallah told WAFA that the Israeli forces instructed Hanin Mahdi Al-Razem, a local woman, to pay 18,000 shekels (nearly $4000) as compensation for the demolition of her home. This cost is for the demolition that Al-Razem carried out at her own expense eight years ago.

Awadallah added that Al-Razem was forced to demolish her house in 2017 after being threatened with the same demolition costs should the Israeli forces carry out the destruction themselves.

This incident comes amid an escalation of Israeli violations in the area, particularly in the Ain Huweza region of Al-Walajah, where several homes have been demolished recently, and others have received orders to cease construction. 

M.N