Israeli Forces Demolish Palestinian Home in East Jerusalem

Early Tuesday morning, Israeli forces, accompanied by Jerusalem municipality workers, demolished a Palestinian home in the Al-Bustan area of Silwan, East Jerusalem. This incident is part of a broader trend of home demolitions that has raised concerns among human rights advocates. Mohammad Odeh, whose family received a final demolition notice in July, expressed his distress, stating that his home is no different from those destroyed in Gaza. The demolitions have prompted calls for the international community to intervene and prevent further displacement of Palestinians. In 2023, the number of demolitions in East Jerusalem reached a record high, with 229 structures destroyed, half of which were homes. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) reported that from January to August 2024, 128 Palestinian structures were demolished, displacing 330 individuals. This alarming trend highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinian communities in the region, particularly in Silwan, where 19 properties have been demolished this year alone. The International Court of Justice has declared Israel's presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, unlawful, urging an end to settlement activities and the displacement of Palestinians. The demolitions in Silwan serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for international intervention to protect the rights of Palestinians living under occupation. From 2019 to 2023, Israeli authorities demolished 113 properties in Silwan, primarily due to alleged building permit violations. Under the Fourth Geneva Convention, Palestinians are protected persons, and their property cannot be destroyed except in cases of military necessity, which advocates argue do not apply in these circumstances.