JERUSALEM, April 18, 2026 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation authorities on Saturday forced two Palestinian citizens of Jerusalem to demolish their homes themselves under the pretext of building without a permit.

According to the Jerusalem Governorate, Sami Al-Hashlamoun Al-Ayyoubi was compelled to demolish his home in the Al-Suwana neighborhood following an order issued by the Israeli municipality, citing construction without a permit. The house, which measures about 70 square meters, was built in 2016.

Al-Ayyoubi explained that the Israeli municipality imposed high fees to obtain a permit that he could not afford. He was also required to pay a monthly fine of 700 shekels for three years before a final demolition order was issued, forcing him to carry out the demolition himself to avoid the high costs of municipal demolition and to protect his grandfather’s house located beneath the structure, which has stood since 1936.

The governorate added that Israeli authorities also forced another Palestinian citizen, Wael Hashem Jalajel, to demolish his home in the Al-Bustan neighborhood, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The house measured about 140 square meters and consisted of two apartments housing a family of eight members. Jalajel was compelled to carry out the demolition himself to avoid heavy financial fines that would have been imposed if Israeli municipal crews had carried out the demolition.

The Jerusalem Governorate said forcing Palestinian residents to self-demolish their homes is part of an ongoing policy aimed at targeting the Palestinian presence in the city and imposing strict restrictions on construction.

M.N