Israel Demolishes Palestinian Home and Issues Evacuation Orders in Silwan

Israeli authorities demolished a 70-square-meter home belonging to Mamoun Salem Shyoukhi in the Ein Al-Fauqa neighborhood of Silwan, Jerusalem, early Sunday. The Cabinet of Israel ordered the demolition on the grounds that the residence, which housed Shyoukhi, his wife, and three children, lacked a required building permit.

In addition to the demolition, authorities issued evacuation and partial-demolition orders for three other homes owned by Na’im Maragha, Salah Maragha, and In’am and Rabia Maragha. Palestinian officials noted that some residents perform self-demolitions to avoid the high municipal fines and fees charged by official Israeli crews.

The Jerusalem Governorate condemned the actions, characterizing them as part of a broader strategy to displace Palestinians from Silwan to facilitate the expansion of Israeli settlements.