Israel forces begin demolition of Jerusalem’s Silwan neighbourhood

Israeli occupation forces this morning raided the Silwan neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem, amid plans to demolish Palestinian homes in the area.

According to local residents, Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters and rubber-coated steel bullets at the Palestinians who had gathered to stop the demolitions in the Al-Bustan neighbourhood. Mosques called on residents to gather to protect their homes, eyewitnesses said.

There has been no comment from Israeli authorities on the report.

Local officials in Silwan warned of Israeli plans to demolish around 100 homes in Al-Bustan under the pretext that they lack the almost impossible to obtain building permits in order to construct a biblical garden.

Israeli occupation authorities have already issued demolition orders to 13 Palestinian homes in Al-Bustan quarter.

Human rights groups have said Israel is ethnically cleansing the East Jerusalem neighbourhood and colonising the occupied territories.

READ: Several wounded as Israel demolishes Palestinian homes