Israel starts to demolish Palestinian homes in Jerusalem

The Israeli occupation authorities started to demolish 14 Palestinian homes in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday, Al-Resalah has reported. The demolitions began by order of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, added Israeli radio, Reshet Bet.

The pretence is that the homes were built without a permit. However, the occupation authorities rarely, if ever, approve such permits for Palestinians.

When a two-storey house in Jabal Al-Mukaber neighbourhood was demolished, the Rateb and Husam Matar families were rendered homeless. During the demolition, the Israeli occupation forces assaulted the displaced family members, injuring one of them with a rubber-coated metal bullet.

READ: Israel occupation to legalise dozens of existing West Bank settlements 

Israel demolishes Palestinian homes and approves new Israeli settlement homes – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/Middle East Monitor]

The demolition of Palestinian homes across the occupied territories has increased since the extreme far-right government led by Benjamin Netanyahu took office. Ministers such as Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich publicly advocate the expulsion of Palestinians and the demolition of their homes. Observers point out that the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians didn’t end in 1948; it is ongoing.