Israeli occupation forces demolished a two‑story Palestinian home and an adjacent commercial workshop on Wednesday morning in the town of Jaba’, north of occupied Jerusalem in the West Bank, displacing two families.
Israeli bulldozers demolished the home of Palestinian resident Ziad Sultan, a two‑floor structure that housed two families totaling 13 people. The forces also demolished his commercial workshop located on the same property.
The building was built eleven years ago, despite this, Israeli authorities imposed a 10,000‑shekel fine on the owner one week ago, which he paid in full.
Only days later, on Sunday, Israeli authorities delivered a demolition order under the pretext of building without a permit—an authorization that Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem are systematically denied.
The demolition is part of Israel’s ongoing policy targeting Palestinian residential and commercial structures in and around occupied Jerusalem.
Human rights organizations have documented that Israel’s planning and zoning system in the city severely restricts Palestinian construction, allocating only a small fraction of land for Palestinian development while facilitating the expansion of Israeli colonies.
According to the most recent UN OCHA monthly updates, Israeli authorities demolished more than 230 Palestinian structures across the occupied West Bank between January and May 2026, including over 70 in occupied Jerusalem alone.
OCHA reports that the majority of these demolitions were carried out under the same pretext of lacking Israeli‑issued building permits, which Palestinians are systematically denied.
Cumulatively, UN OCHA data shows that Israeli forces demolished over 1,250 Palestinian structures in 2024 and more than 1,400 in 2025, marking two consecutive years of sharp escalation.
Occupied Jerusalem accounted for approximately one quarter of all demolitions during this period, making it the single most targeted area for displacement and property destruction.
Jaba’, where Wednesday’s demolition occurred, is one of several Palestinian towns north of occupied Jerusalem that face increasing pressure from Israeli authorities and expanding illegal Israeli colonies.
The town lies near a cluster of Israeli settlement blocs and military installations, and residents report frequent demolition orders, land confiscation notices, and restrictions on infrastructure development.
These measures form part of a broader Israeli policy aimed at limiting Palestinian urban expansion while consolidating Israeli control over the northern approaches to Jerusalem.
The destruction of the Sultan family home adds to the rising number of Palestinian families displaced in occupied Jerusalem in 2024, 2025, and the first half of 2026, as Israeli authorities intensify demolitions, land seizures, and restrictions on Palestinian construction in the city and its surrounding towns.
