Israel demolishes East Jerusalem apartment building, displacing 100

Israeli forces demolished a residential building in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday, displacing nearly 100 Palestinian residents, according to witness accounts. The 13-apartment structure in the Wadi Qadum neighborhood was razed by municipal crews who stated it lacked a building permit.

Alleged use of force during demolition

Witnesses on the scene reported that Israeli police forces assaulted Palestinians to prevent them from approaching the demolition site. The incident is part of a broader pattern of home demolitions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, areas captured and occupied by Israel since 1967.

Systematic policy of permit denial

The demolition highlights the contentious issue of building permits. Palestinians and human rights groups maintain that Israeli authorities systematically deny construction permits to Palestinians in areas under its control, particularly in East Jerusalem and the 61% of the West Bank designated as Area C. This makes building legally nearly impossible, leading to structures being declared illegal and demolished.

Surge in demolitions since October 2023

Data from the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission indicates a significant escalation. Since October 2023, Israeli authorities have carried out 1,014 demolitions across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, affecting 3,679 structures. These include over 1,500 Palestinian homes, both inhabited and uninhabited. This policy persists despite a landmark International Court of Justice opinion last July, which declared Israel's occupation illegal and called for the evacuation of settlements.