Jerusalem: Israeli occupation authorities on Wednesday ordered the evacuation of 11 Palestinian-owned homes in the Silwan neighborhood, south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Arab East Jerusalem.
According to Jordan News Agency, the Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate released a statement indicating that Israeli forces entered the Batn al-Hawa area of Silwan and issued eviction orders for 11 homes to facilitate seizure by pro-settlement Jewish organizations. In addition, two more apartments were seized in the neighborhood.
The Batn al-Hawa quarter of Silwan has been experiencing increased evictions and property seizures. Palestinians assert that these actions are part of a strategy to alter the demographic composition of the area and forcibly Judaize it, actions which they argue violate international law and UN resolutions.
In related developments, Israeli occupation troops arrested 40 Palestinians during operations in roughly six towns across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as reported by the Palestinian Prisoners Club. Among those detained were a journalist from Ramallah, a young woman from Hebron, and several ex-prisoners.