Self-demolition, arrests, and deportations from Al-Aqsa
Demolitions persist in Jerusalem under the guise of unauthorized construction, amidst ongoing arrests and summons campaigns, especially around the Al-Aqsa Mosque area.
This evening, the Sawahreh family was compelled to demolish their two apartments in Jabal al-Mukabber, southeast of Jerusalem, after the deadline from the Israeli municipality expired on Sunday evening. The municipality had warned that it would carry out the demolitions with its crews and equipment and impose financial penalties on the family.
Mohammed Sawahreh stated that Israeli forces entered the property on Thursday and ordered the residents to demolish the two apartments themselves. He mentioned that they had recently attempted to halt the demolition order without success, leaving them no option but to proceed with the demolitions themselves in the evening.
He mentioned that one apartment has existed since 1975, while the other was constructed in 2012. Over the years, the family had accumulated fines for building violations.
He mentioned that the two apartments accommodated four families, totaling 16 people, and stressed, "We have no choice but to demolish them ourselves" to prevent damage to the family's lower home and avoid extra fines.
He highlighted that Jabal al-Mukabber is designated as a "green area" where building is not allowed. He mentioned that residents had tried to submit zoning plans to manage natural population growth, but the Ministry of the Interior rejected these proposals for political reasons.
Recently, Mohammad Shehada Qweider continued self-demolishing his home in the al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan, just days after he tore down his son's house nearby. The house, constructed in 2012, covered 100 square meters and housed eight people.
The al-Bustan neighborhood in Silwan is experiencing a series of demolitions, prompted by swift final decisions from the Israeli municipality. These actions facilitate various projects in the area, such as building parking lots for settlers or creating public parks.
On the other hand, Israeli forces arrested eight Palestinians from Jerusalem, including three women and five young men, at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and its gates.
Police extended the detention of Jerusalemite woman Iman Al-A’war, pending her court appearance tomorrow. Al-A’war is a former prisoner who spent 22 months in Israeli jails and was released in 2022.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center reported that several detainees were released on condition of being banned from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque for a week, with the possibility of an extension.
Intelligence also summoned a number of young Jerusalemites for interrogation.
Israeli forces also arrested Thaer Zghayyar, an employee of the Islamic Endowment Department, in the morning before releasing him on condition of being banned from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque for a week.
In a related development, Israeli occupation authorities renewed, for the fourth consecutive time, the administrative detention of Jerusalemite prisoner Sheikh Mohammad Saeed Awad Sumrein (54 years old) from the town of Silwan, for a period of four months.
Sumrein has been detained since the end of 2024 and has spent nearly 14 years in Israeli prisons.
