OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) demolished dozens of Palestinian industrial and commercial facilities in the al‑Mashtal area of al‑Eizariya town, southeast of Jerusalem, on Monday evening.
Local sources reported that Israeli bulldozers razed about 20 industrial and commercial structures, adding that more demolitions were underway in the area.
In a statement, the Jerusalem Governorate said the IOA carried out the demolitions, although there was a court verdict in favor of residents that ordered a halt to the measure until mid‑May.
The Governorate added that Israeli soldiers, who escorted the bulldozers, fired stun grenades and tear gas canisters at civilians and disrupted traffic in the area.
In recent days, the IOA verbally ordered around 50 residents to evacuate their stores and commercial facilities in the al‑Mashtal area, located at the main entrance of al‑Eizariya, as a prelude to enforcing demolition orders previously issued in August 2025.
According to local officials, such demolition measures are part of Israel’s settlement expansion plans in Occupied Jerusalem, especially its E1 project.
