Pictures: Cracks and collapses force Siam family to evacuate their house in Silwan
Um Mahmoud Siam was forced to leave her house in the neighborhood of Wadi Hilweh in Silwan after cracks and landslides increased in her house caused by Israeli excavations underneath the house; it is usually revealed during the winter season.
Um Mahmoud explained that she evacuated her house with the help of family members because of the danger she feels after the cracks have widened.
She said: “We’ve cut the electricity from the house for the past two days in anticipation of an internal electric fault due to the cracks and water leakage in the walls and ceiling.”
She added: “We sleep and wake up in fear. We are worried the house would collapse anytime and the walls would fall on top of us…we fear the breakout of a fire in the house.”
Um Mahmoud said that parts of the house (one room, kitchen and bathroom) are gradually collapsing and increased in the last two days. Also, landslides occurred in some parts of the house and the water is coming out from the floor as Israeli excavations continue underneath the house around the clock.”
She added that she along with two of her sons live in the house which is considered “Abbasi family house”.
Siam explained that cracks started appearing last month and are gradually increasing especially with the beginning of the “collapse season” (winter). The family headed to several parties and organization seeking help to renovate the house and maintain it but nobody seemed to care for their requests.
