Jerusalem:Israeli authorities forced a Palestinian family to demolish their home in the Beit Hanina neighborhood of occupied Jerusalem, citing the lack of a construction permit.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, the Wadi Hilweh Information Center disclosed that the authorities compelled Fawaz al-Rajabi to demolish his home. This decision followed a written order from the authorities and previous fines amounting to 60,000 shekels for alleged unlicensed construction.
The demolished house, measuring 60 square meters, had been built 15 years ago and was home to al-Rajabi, his wife, and their five children. Palestinian residents of occupied East Jerusalem face considerable challenges in acquiring Israeli-issued building permits, thereby increasing their susceptibility to demolition orders.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that Palestinian-owned structures are often demolished due to the absence of permits. Many families are forced to demolish their own homes to avoid further costs and penalties associated with demolitions executed by Israeli authorities.