JERUSALEM, May 7, 2026 (WAFA) - Israeli occupation municipality coerced a Palestinian into emptying the contents of his house in the Silwan neighborhood of the occupied city of Jerusalem, in preparation for demolition, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.
It said that the occupation authorities forced Mohammad Mahmoud Al-Abbasi clear his belongings out of his house before proceeding to demolish it by himself.
It explained that Al-Abbasi had yet to tear his house down to avoid paying exorbitant fines should the occupation municipality of Jerusalem demolish the structure on its own.
Built in 2011 and spanning 65 square meters, the house shelters Al-Abbasi, his wife, and their two children. The family is also expecting a third child in the coming period.
The occupation municipality imposed a financial penalty of 66,000 shekels (approx. $23,000) on Al-Abbasi and gave him until next Saturday to carry out the self-demolition. Otherwise, its crews will forcibly demolish the house and charge him additional substantial costs.
Al-Abbasi suffers from a difficult health condition, as he has diabetes, undergoes kidney dialysis sessions, and had his foot amputated several months ago.
Using the pretext of illegal building, Israel demolishes houses regularly to restrict Palestinian expansion in occupied Jerusalem.
At the same time, the occupation municipality and government build tens of thousands of housing units in illegal colonies in East Jerusalem for Jews to offset the demographic balance in favour of the Jewish colonists in the occupied city.
Palestinians in East Jerusalem, a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian Territory that has been subject to Israeli military occupation since 1967, are denied their citizenship rights and are instead classified only as "residents" whose permits can be revoked if they move away from the city for more than a few years.
They are also discriminated against in all aspects of life, including housing, employment, and services. They are unable to access services in the West Bank due to the construction of Israel's separation wall.
K.F.
