Demolition, displacement, and expulsions... ongoing measures targeting Jerusalemites
Demolitions are ongoing in Jerusalem, with the Israeli municipality demolishing a home in Sur Baher. Meanwhile, a family in Silwan was compelled to self-demolish two of their own homes to prevent substantial fines and expenses.
In Sur Baher, Israeli bulldozers, crews, special forces, and police stormed the area, surrounding a building owned by the Awadallah family. After blocking access roads, the forces raided the building and swiftly evacuated its residents ahead of the demolition.
The family confirmed that the demolition occurred without any prior warning, even though an appeal against the recent demolition order was still pending in court.
The building, built between 1990 and 1995, had two floors and four apartments, leaving 15 people homeless, according to Farad Awadallah, one of those affected.
Awadallah mentioned that the family paid over 200,000 shekels for building violations and additional court and legal fees in an effort to delay or halt the multiple demolition orders, the most recent of which was issued just a week ago.
In Silwan, Ahmed al-Abbasi's family had to self-demolish two houses he and his son Zaid owned before the Israeli municipality's deadline on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
The family paid over 130,000 shekels in fines and penalties to the municipality but had to carry out the demolition themselves to avoid further costs that the municipality would have charged if it had performed the work.
Ahmed and his son Zaid shared two houses, totaling around 160 square meters. Zaid was getting his home ready for his wedding when he was compelled to demolish it.
Expulsions from Al-Aqsa and the Old City
In a related development, expulsion orders from the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City continue.
The Israeli occupation authorities have issued a one-week expulsion order against the Jerusalemite Areen Za'aneen, prohibiting him from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque. There is also a possibility of extending this order for several additional months. His previous expulsion order, issued earlier this year, remains valid until mid-July.
Additionally, Hussein Abu Huthaifa from the Palestinian 1948 lands has been banned from entering the Old City for six months, until the end of 2026, citing a violation of the ban from Al-Aqsa Mosque that he received last March.
