25 individuals without shelter…Occupation authorities demolish 5 houses for Al-Tahan family
On Tuesday, the occupation municipality demolished 5 residential homes in Silwan, under the pretext of building without a permit.
The occupation municipality’s bulldozers accompanied by dozens of police, stormed the property of Al-Tahan family in Silwan, and after besieging it completely, it began to empty some of its contents, then demolished it and displaced its 25 residents.
Al-Tahan family explained that the property belongs to the brothers Wael, Nader, and Alaa Al-Tahan, and it consists of a residential building with a total area of 400 square meters, consisting of two floors - 4 apartments, and several meters away from it, is another residential apartment with an area of 120 square meters.
Wael El-Tahan explained that the houses have been in existence since the 1990s. Several years after the construction, the municipality issued a decision to demolish them under the pretext of building without a permit, despite the attempt to apply for a building permit before starting the construction.
Al-Tahan added that the family was surprised by the occupation authorities’decision to confiscate the land and other adjacent plots under the pretext of" public interest, "without concern for the existence of the building on it and the livelihood of dozens of people in it.
Wael El-Tahan explained that several sessions were held in the courts to preserve the land and not to demolish the building, but the municipality refused every attempt, until it issued the final demolition order last June.
He pointed out that the municipality imposed building fines on the family of more than 260,000 shekels, and they have been committed to paying them over the past years.
