OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)
Israeli municipal authorities demolished 13 residential and agricultural structures on Wednesday in various areas of Occupied Jerusalem.
In a statement, the Jerusalem Governorate said that the Israeli municipality demolished the home of elderly Jerusalem resident Saleh Dweik in the Al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan. The Israeli authorities had also imposed fines of 500 shekels per month on him since 2024, requiring him to continue paying them until 2030, even after the demolition of his home.
Israeli machinery also carried out 11 demolition operations in the area of Rawabi al-Issawiya, targeting homes and structures belonging to several residents.
The demolitions are part of a broader policy of destroying structures under the pretext of lacking building permits, amid strict restrictions imposed on Palestinians in Occupied Jerusalem. These restrictions make obtaining building permits nearly impossible, forcing residents to face either demolition or heavy financial penalties.
The demolitions also included a horse stable in the Aqbat suburb of the town of Al-Ram, north of Occupied Jerusalem, also on the grounds of lacking construction permits.
Jerusalem has witnessed a noticeable escalation in demolitions since the beginning of the year. Marouf al-Rifai, spokesperson for the Jerusalem Governorate, said that the first four months of 2026 saw 147 demolitions carried out, describing it as a policy targeting the Palestinian presence, particularly in areas near the Aqsa Mosque.
The demolition operations are concentrated in neighborhoods and towns, including Silwan, Jabal al-Mukaber, Sheikh Jarrah, and Wadi al-Joz.
