A new displacement in Silwan - Demolition of the Abu Shafe' family's home
On Wednesday morning, Israeli municipality bulldozers demolished a house and walls in the town of Silwan, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli municipality crews, accompanied by Israeli occupation forces, stormed the Al-Bustan neighborhood in Silwan, blockading the neighborhood's entrances and the streets leading to it, preventing traffic through some of them, before raiding the home of Kathem Abu Shafe' and proceeding to demolish it.
The Abu Shafe' family explained that the house, which has been standing since 2021, has an area of 50 square meters and houses four people, including children.
The bulldozers also demolished a retaining wall and gate belonging to the Bashir family.
The Israeli municipality has escalated its demolition operations in the Al-Bustan neighborhood during 2024, as part of a policy targeting the entire neighborhood.
In 2004, the occupation municipality decided to demolish the entire Al-Bustan neighborhood to implement the "King's Garden" project on its ruins. In 2005, it began distributing demolition notices and warnings.
After international pressure, local and international human rights organizations, and diplomatic efforts, the demolition orders were temporarily frozen, in exchange for residents submitting alternative plans to organize the neighborhood.
Since then, residents have worked with teams of engineers and lawyers to submit master plans for the neighborhood's development. These plans included opening roads and allocating sites for infrastructure and public facilities, such as schools and playgrounds.
In March 2021, residents were surprised by the occupation municipality's decision to reject the submitted engineering plans and not extend the demolition freeze, which constituted a breach of all previous agreements.
For several months, the occupation authorities have escalated demolitions in the neighborhood, targeting the homes of several families.
