Israel demolishes seven-apartment building in East Jerusalem, leaving 35 Palestinians homeless

Israeli forces demolished a seven-apartment building near the Qalandia Refugee Camp in northern occupied East Jerusalem, citing a lack of permits; 35 Palestinians living in the building were left homeless.

Israeli construction equipment demolished a seven-apartment building in the al-Wad area, adjacent to the Qalandia Refugee Camp in northern occupied East Jerusalem, citing that it had been "built without a permit." The Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate said the demolition left the 35 Palestinians living in the building homeless.

Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported that the demolished apartments belonged to the Abu Labba family. The governorate said Israeli forces beat the homeowners during the demolition and damaged a vehicle.

Kalendiya Mülteci Kampı

Israeli authorities impose strict restrictions on granting building permits to Palestinians in East Jerusalem. Human Rights Watch said in a statement in June that it was nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain permits in East Jerusalem and in Israeli-controlled areas of the West Bank.

According to a report by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Israeli authorities carried out 341 demolitions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, during the first half of 2026 and targeted 740 Palestinian structures, including residential, commercial and agricultural facilities. During the same period, demolition notices were issued for 254 structures.