Agencies-Gaza post
74 Palestinians will become homeless if Israel destroys this building
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the occupied Palestinian territory warned that the looming Israeli destruction of a Palestinian-owned building in occupied East Jerusalem may evict 74 Palestinians homeless.
The construction of 12 housing units is a looming threat of demolition in the Wadi Qaddum area of the Silwan neighborhood, in East Jerusalem, said OCHA. Recently, the Palestinian families received a demolition order from the Israeli municipality and were called to evacuate the building within days.
If the destruction goes ahead, 32 adults and 42 children will be forcibly expelled. Two of the households in the construction are Palestine refugees, and another two would be replaced for the second time in two years, following previous destructions.
As with most destructions in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, the pretext for the possible destruction in Wadi Qaddum is the lack of an Israeli building permit; however, such permits are virtually impossible for Palestinians to obtain, stressed OCHA. The site on which the building is located has been established by the Israeli authorities as an open/green space, to be used as a public garden.
At this stage, primary efforts aim to prevent destruction through engagement with appropriate authorities. The humanitarian community stands ready to support those displaced if the destruction goes ahead, demonstrated the UN agency.
Since the start of 2022, 300 structures have been destroyed or seized across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Source: WAFA
