Israel issues demolition orders for eight Palestinian homes, structures near East Jerusalem

Israeli authorities issued demolition orders Wednesday for eight Palestinian homes and structures in the town of Hizma, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, under the pretext of construction without permits. In a statement, the Jerusalem Governorate said the orders targeted homes and structures in the Tablas area.

Targeted properties

According to the governorate, the demolition orders included the home of Khaled Abdullah Abu Hamdan, a car wash owned by Ali Mohammad Ahmad Rizq, a carpentry workshop belonging to Nadi Mohammad Ahmad Rizq, a grocery store owned by Ahmad Mohammad Ahmad Rizq, and a caravan owned by Riyad Ahmad Salama. The notices also included three homes belonging to the sons of Ahmad Salama, Mohammad Abdullah Qasem, and the sons of Salama Abdullah Qasem.

Escalating demolitions

Israeli demolition campaigns targeting Palestinian homes and structures in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem have escalated as part of policies aimed at pressuring Palestinians to leave their homes and lands in favor of settlement expansion. Earlier Wednesday, Israeli forces demolished residential structures and livestock shelters in the Ain al-Hilweh area of the northern Jordan Valley, as well as a cement factory in Kharbatha Bani Harith.

Demolition statistics

According to the Palestinian Commission Against the Wall and Settlements, Israeli authorities carried out 37 demolition operations in April targeting 78 structures, including 37 inhabited homes. Since October 2023, Israeli attacks in the West Bank have killed 1,162 Palestinians, injured around 12,245, and led to nearly 23,000 arrests.