Jerusalem, April 18, 2026 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation authorities forced two Jerusalemite citizens to demolish their own homes on Saturday, under the pretext of building without a permit.
The Jerusalem Governorate reported that citizen Sami Al-Hashlamoun Al-Ayoubi was forced to demolish his house in the Al-Sawana neighborhood of Jerusalem, by a decision of the occupation municipality, on the pretext of building without a permit, indicating that the house, which has an area of about 70 square meters, was built in 2016.
Al-Ayoubi explained that the occupation municipality imposed exorbitant fees on him to obtain the license, which he was unable to pay. He was also obligated to pay a monthly fine of 700 shekels for three years, before a final demolition order was issued against him, which forced him to carry out the demolition himself to avoid paying the exorbitant demolition costs and to preserve his grandfather’s house, which has been located below the building since 1936 .
The governorate added that the occupation also forced the Jerusalemite citizen Wael Hashem Jalajel to demolish his house himself in the Al-Bustan neighborhood in the town of Silwan, south of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.
She explained that the house has an area of 140 square meters and consists of two apartments inhabited by a family of 8 people .
She pointed out that citizen Jalajel was forced to demolish his house to avoid imposing hefty fines, in the event that the occupation municipality’s machinery carried out the demolition operation.
The Jerusalem Governorate stated that forcing Jerusalemite citizens to demolish their own homes is part of an ongoing policy targeting the Palestinian presence in the city and imposing strict restrictions on construction .
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W.A
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