Israeli forces seized 11 Palestinian homes in the Baten al‑Hawa neighborhood of Silwan, south of the Al‑Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, on Wednesday, forcibly emptying dozens of residents and handing the properties to colonial organizations seeking to expand their presence in the area.
The Jerusalem Governorate said the seized homes belong to members of the Rajabi family and house approximately 65 residents.
The units include four apartments belonging to the family of Yaqoub Rajabi and his brothers, one belonging to the family of Rezeq Salah, five belonging to Nidal Rajabi and his brothers, and another belonging to Fathi Rajabi.
At the same time, Israeli forces seized two additional apartments belonging to Rafat Basbous and his father after invading the neighborhood and forcing the family out.
Rafat Basbous was abducted during the operation. The family has lived in the building for more than six decades.
These seizures come only days after Israeli forces took over two more apartments in the same neighborhood, part of a rapidly intensifying campaign targeting Palestinian homes in Silwan.
Human rights organizations report that more than 80 homes in Baten al‑Hawa have either been seized or face eviction orders, displacing numerous families under the protection of Israeli forces and in coordination with colonial associations.
The escalating operations in Silwan form part of a broader plan aimed at altering the demographic character of the area and imposing a new reality through forced displacement, in violation of international law and United Nations resolutions.
