Families evacuate their homes in Al-Qirmi neighbourhood due to Israeli excavations and the negligence of officials
Several families in Al-Qirmi neighbourhood evacuated their homes on Wednesday because of the continuous Israeli excavations in the area which led to significant damages in the houses. The damages occurred in two buildings in Al-Qirmi neighbourhood where 240 individuals from the families of Asmar, Ja’bari, Salaymeh, Sa’di Abu Asab, Wahbeh and Al-Tayeb live. Locals explained that the entrance of Hosh Al-Asmar completely collapsed, and big cracks occurred in the residential apartments in addition to the falling of big stones, knowing that the young men placed iron trusses at the entrance of the Hosh in order to protect the buildings. Locals also said that the cracks significantly increased in the last few years due to the Israeli excavations under their neighbourhood, where there is a tunnel that connects Al-Qirmi neighbourhood with the Saraya, and another one that connects it with Al-Khawajat market and Al-Attareen market. Locals of Al-Qirmi neighbourhood denounced the negligence of officials from the Islamic Awqaf department and Al-Qirmi neighbourhood construction and renovations committees despite the pleas and appeals to renovate the neighbourhood to prevent the Jerusalem municipality from forcing the residents to leave their homes after ranking them as “dangerous buildings”. The locals pointed out the Israeli ambitions in their neighbourhood and their attempts to control its properties in twisted ways, knowing that there is 11 settlement outposts in the area. The municipality crews asked the residents to evacuate their home within 48 hours.
