Atta Shqairat revealed that he was forced to tear down his six-storey building, which spans 580 square meters, due to claims that it was built without the necessary permits. This demolition has rendered 50 people homeless.

Shqairat recounted his long struggle to obtain a building license, a process that began years ago but proved futile, especially after the occupation court issued a demolition order in 2007. Despite his efforts, the demolition decision stood firm, leaving him no choice but to dismantle the building himself.

To avoid paying exorbitant fines that would be imposed if the Jerusalem occupation municipality carried out the demolition, Shqairat undertook the heart-wrenching task himself. He explained that self-demolition was also necessary to prevent the extensive damage that would likely result from the municipality's demolition methods.

This incident is part of a broader pattern where Israel frequently demolishes Palestinian homes under the pretext of illegal construction, a tactic used to limit Palestinian expansion in occupied Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the occupation municipality and the Israeli government continue to construct tens of thousands of housing units in illegal colonies in East Jerusalem, aimed at altering the demographic balance in favor of Jewish settlers in the occupied city.

The forced demolition highlights the ongoing struggles faced by Palestinian families in securing and maintaining their homes in occupied Jerusalem. The situation underscores the broader issue of housing rights and the impact of occupation policies on Palestinian communities. (ILKHA)