JERUSALEM, April 11, 2026 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities forced Jerusalem resident and his two brothers to self-demolish their houses in the neighborhood of Ras al-Amud, in the town of Silwan, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, under the pretext that they were built without construction permits.

According to the Jerusalem Governorate, the targeted houses included two residential buildings, each consisting of two floors measuring 200 square meters per floor. One building housed 12 family members, while the other was home to eight.

Meanwhile, a third separate house, with an area of ​​120 square meters, inhabited by five additional members.

In total, 25 members from the three families were affected. The homes had reportedly stood for 30 years, yet Israeli authorities imposed fines of up to 280,000 shekels on the homeowners.

The Jerusalem Governorate denounced the measure, affirming that forced self-demolition policies are part of a systematic plan targeting  the Palestinian presence in the city, particularly in neighborhoods surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Many Palestinians in the occupied city embark on demolishing their own houses to avoid paying the high costs that will be imposed on them by the Israeli municipality.

Using the pretext of illegal building, Israel demolishes Palestinian-owned houses on a regular basis to restrict Palestinian expansion in occupied Jerusalem.

Y.S