JERUSALEM, March 5, 2025 — Israeli forces have demolished at least four buildings in East Jerusalem, displacing several Palestinian families, according to the Israeli human rights group Ir Amim.
The demolitions took place during the first week of Ramadan and affected at least six farming families, with a residential home in Beit Hanina and three apartments in the al-Isawiya neighborhood among the properties destroyed.
Last year, at least 181 apartments were razed, compared to 140 in 2023.
In the first two months of 2025 alone, 46 buildings have been demolished, it said.
"Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem are forced to build without permits due to Israel’s discriminatory and racist planning policies," the organization stated. "As a result, many live in constant fear of demolition."
Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Governorate has expressed deep concern over Israel’s ongoing plans to approve the construction of over 1,000 new settlement units in occupied East Jerusalem.
A statement from the Governorate described these developments as part of a broader "systematic colonial policy" to expand Israeli territorial control.
The Governorate warned that such actions threaten to alter the demographic and national makeup of Jerusalem, furthering what it calls the "Judaization" of the city—a move that is considered a violation of international law.
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that under the new plan, 380 settlement units are set to be built in the Nof Zion settlement near Jabal al-Mukaber.
Besides, the plan includes the construction of a school, two synagogues, and commercial areas. Meanwhile, another 650 settlement units will be established between Kibbutz Ramat Rachel and the Har Homa settlements, adjacent to the Palestinian neighborhood of Sur Baher in southern East Jerusalem.