Israeli forces demolished a four-storey residential building in East Jerusalem’s Silwan district, displacing over 100 Palestinians. The incident occurred in the Wadi Qaddum neighborhood of Ras al-Amud, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and near the Old City.
Incident Details
Three bulldozers razed the structure, which housed 13 apartments and around 100 residents, including many women, children, and the elderly. Israeli troops sealed off roads, deployed snipers on nearby rooftops, and fired stun grenades and tear gas during the operation. Authorities arrested a young man and a teenage boy amid clashes.
Official Justifications
Israeli officials cited a lack of building permits as the reason, referencing a 2014 court ruling that designated the land for recreational use rather than housing. The Jerusalem Municipality stated that residents received extensions and resolution options, but declined them. Activists noted permits are nearly impossible for Palestinians to secure in East Jerusalem.
Resident and Activist Reactions
Local residents described the demolition as part of efforts to displace Palestinians from their land. Eid Shawar, a resident, called it a tragedy for all affected families. Groups like Ir Amim and Bimkom labeled it the largest demolition in East Jerusalem this year, noting that about 100 families lost homes in similar actions.
Regional Context
The building stood on privately owned Palestinian land in Silwan, home to nearly 50,000 Palestinians alongside Israeli settlers. Palestinian officials and the Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs condemned it as a systematic displacement policy violating international law. No prior notice was given despite a scheduled legalization meeting.
This event highlights ongoing disputes over building permits and land tensions in occupied East Jerusalem – Anadolu.
Image Credit – jordantimes.com
