JERUSALEM, April 12, 2026 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation authorities on Sunday forced Palestinian citizen Mahmoud Al-Tawil to demolish his own home in the neighborhood of Silwan, occupied Jerusalem, under the pretext of building without a permit.

The Jerusalem Governorate said the house, located in the Al-Shiyah area of Silwan, was built around 10 years ago and measures approximately 120 square meters, housing Al-Tawil, his wife, and their four children. It added that the family had previously been fined by the Israeli municipality around 120,000 shekels (about $40,000) in connection with the structure.

According to the Governorate, the demolition order was issued under strict conditions that left the homeowner with no practical alternative but to carry out the demolition himself, in order to avoid additional financial penalties and the costs of forced demolition if carried out by municipal bulldozers.

It noted that earlier, Palestinian resident Mohammed Shehda Qweider and three brothers from the Al-Tahan family were also forced to demolish their homes in Silwan under similar circumstances, following threats of heavy fines and enforced demolition.

Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem are frequently compelled to demolish their own homes under Israeli municipal orders, in a coercive policy aimed at pressuring Palestinian citizens and restricting housing expansion in occupied Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem Governorate said the policy of “self-demolition” is part of a systematic approach targeting Palestinian presence in the city, particularly in neighborhoods surrounding the Old City and holy sites.

M.N