BETHLEHEM, August 1, 2026 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation authorities on Saturday forced three Palestinians from the city of Beit Jala, in the Bethlehem governorate, to demolish their own homes to avoid paying hefty fines and demolition costs if Israeli occupation authorities carried out the demolitions, a security source told WAFA.

The source told WAFA that the three residents demolished their homes—including one under construction and another that was inhabited—after being threatened with demolition and compelled to bear the demolition costs.

Israeli occupation authorities routinely force residents in Beit Jala and other areas of the Bethlehem governorate to demolish their own homes under the pretext of lacking building permits, while systematically denying Palestinians building permits and continuing colonial expansion on their land.

T.R.