The City Council in occupied Jerusalem issued orders, on Sunday evening, instructing seven Palestinian families in Bab as-Silsila (Chain Gate) neighborhood to leave their homes due to ongoing Israeli excavations under them, rendering the properties unsafe.
Jerusalem Governor Adnan Gheith told the Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) that the excavations are carried out by the municipality of the occupied city and various colonialist organizations and aim at forcing the Palestinians out of their homes.
Gheith Added that this has been happening for years, especially in Bab as-Silsila (Chain Gate), Silwan town, and the Old City, and stated that this is all part of Israel’s illegal policies targeting the existence of the indigenous Palestinian population in the occupied city, in direct violation of all related international laws and agreements.
Resident Rashid Zahda from Bab al-Silsila area, said that twenty-two Palestinian families would lose their homes, especially after Israel already handed eviction notices to seven families, while the remaining orders will be handed Monday.
“The Israeli excavations in Bab as-Silsila, adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, are also threatening the homes of around 200 Palestinians, after the ongoing digging resulting in cracks and serious damage to their foundations,” Zahda stated, “We are appealing to the International Community to act and save not only our homes, but the entire historic area.”
