Israeli Forces Demolish 5-Story Residential Building in Jerusalem's Al-Tur Neighborhood

Israeli authorities demolished a five-story residential building in the Al-Tur neighborhood of Jerusalem on Tuesday, after years of issuing demolition notices and financial penalties to residents. The building's occupants received a final demolition notice on Tuesday, according to the Jerusalem Governorate media office. The demolition is part of a broader policy of demolishing Palestinian homes and structures in Jerusalem, which has seen a rise in such actions.

According to a report from the Jerusalem Governorate for the third quarter of 2026, Israeli authorities carried out 139 demolitions and bulldozing operations in the governorate between July and September. During the same period, 150 notices and decisions related to demolition, eviction, and property seizure were issued, including 140 demolition notices.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that Israeli authorities have demolished approximately 170 Palestinian buildings in East Jerusalem since the beginning of 2026, citing a lack of building permits. OCHA noted that obtaining such permits for Palestinians is nearly impossible, and that families have pursued legal avenues for years to secure permits or appeal demolition orders without success.

OCHA has documented an increase in demolitions and evictions in East Jerusalem, warning of their impact on the Palestinian presence and the city's geographic and demographic continuity. The UN body also stated that forced demolitions and evictions raise concerns under international humanitarian law.