JERUSALEM, February 2014 (WAFA) – A retaining wall, close to houses adjacent to the Moroccan Gate in Jerusalem, collapsed on Wednesday, due to the continuing Israeli excavations beneath al-Aqsa Mosque and the old city of Jerusalem as confirmed by the houses’ inhabitants, according to witnesses.

Emran Salaymeh, a local resident who was affected by the collapse, said a retaining wall, 30-meter-long, collapsed at 4:00 am and fell on houses inhabited by four families.

He said locals could constantly hear the sound of underground drilling, tremors and bulldozers working underground in the late night hours, which is likely why the wall collapsed.

He said the collapse caused harm to the electricity and water networks.

M.N./T.R.