JERUSALEM, February 21, 2026 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation authorities on Saturday evening forced a Palestinian citizen to demolish his own home in the town of Al-Issawiya, northeast of occupied Jerusalem.

According to the Jerusalem Governorate, the municipality had previously issued a demolition order against Majdi Atiya and threatened to carry out the demolition on Sunday morning, charging him the full high costs. Atiya was compelled to demolish the house himself to avoid the heavy municipal fees and to prevent attacks by Israeli forces accompanying the municipality during demolitions.

The governorate reported that the house, measuring approximately 100 square meters, had been home to Atiya, his wife, and two children for four years, leaving the family homeless.

The demolition reflects an escalation in the policy of destroying Palestinian homes in occupied Jerusalem, including during Ramadan, unlike previous years when demolitions were relatively limited during the holy month. A new Israeli police commander recently announced that forces would accompany municipal teams during demolitions in Ramadan, signaling continuation of this policy.

The Jerusalem Governorate noted that while Israeli authorities continue to demolish Palestinian homes and deny building permits, they are simultaneously constructing thousands of settlement units on Palestinian land in and around Jerusalem, in a policy aimed at constricting Palestinian presence and consolidating control over the land.

M.N