AL-BA’NA, January 18, 2026 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities forced the Palestinian family of Amer Titi to demolish their own home in the village of al-Ba’na in the Galilee region on Saturday night, to avoid paying a fine of nearly $159,000, which would have been imposed if the authorities carried out the demolition themselves.
The family said the house, built about 15 years ago, was home to 15 people. The demolition order had been frozen for years, but Israeli authorities resumed enforcement in recent years, leaving the family little room for negotiation.
On Saturday, another Palestinian family from the town carried out a similar demolition themselves to avoid the heavy fines that would have resulted if the authorities had done it.
Home demolitions have long been used by Israeli authorities as a tool against Palestinian families in Israel and the occupied territories. These demolitions are often justified by claims of construction without Israeli permits. Families are frequently given little notice, forced to pay heavy fines, or compelled to demolish their own homes to avoid even higher costs.
M.N
