OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)
A Palestinian resident of Occupied Jerusalem was forced on Friday to begin emptying his home near the Aqsa Mosque in preparation for demolishing it himself under an order issued by Israeli occupation authorities to avoid the high costs of forced demolition.
According to the Jerusalem Governorate, the resident, Mohammad Khalaf Ouda, began evacuating his home located in the Al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan, south of Aqsa Mosque, in compliance with a demolition order issued by the Israeli municipality.
The house, which measures approximately 70 square meters, is home to his wife and their five children. It has stood since 1998.
According to available information, Israeli authorities imposed building violation fines estimated at around 120,000 shekels, forcing him to demolish his home himself to avoid additional fines and the high costs imposed by the municipality for carrying out the demolition.
Israeli authorities continue to force Palestinians in Occupied Jerusalem to carry out self-demolitions under the pretext of unlicensed construction, while those who refuse face steep financial penalties after forced demolitions are executed.
In a related context, Israeli bulldozers demolished 234 homes and structures across the West Bank and Occupied Jerusalem during the past month of March, including 23 homes that were completely destroyed.
