JERUSALEM, October 25, 2026 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation authorities on Sunday forced a Palestinian family to demolish its own home in the Beit Hanina neighborhood of occupied Jerusalem, citing construction without a permit.

The Wadi Hilweh Information Center reported that the authorities forced Fawaz al-Rajabi to demolish his home after issuing a written order, despite previously imposing fines totaling 60,000 shekels over alleged unlicensed construction.

The 60-square-meter house was built 15 years ago and was home to al-Rajabi, his wife, and their five children.

Palestinian citizens of occupied East Jerusalem face significant obstacles in obtaining Israeli-issued building permits, leaving many vulnerable to demolition orders. 

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Palestinian-owned structures are frequently demolished for lacking permits, and some families are compelled to demolish their own homes to avoid the additional costs and penalties associated with demolitions carried out by Israeli authorities.

M.N