Israeli Forces Demolish Four Palestinian Homes in Jerusalem and Salfit

Israeli bulldozers demolished four Palestinian homes on Thursday morning in Al-Ram town, north of Jerusalem, and in Dir Balut town, west of Salfit Governorate, citing unlicensed construction. In Al-Ram, Israeli forces destroyed a two-story home belonging to Ashraf Salhab, according to the Jerusalem Governorate. In Salfit, Israeli forces raided Dir Balut with bulldozers and demolition vehicles, blocking residents from accessing the eastern area before demolishing two inhabited homes in the "Bab Al-Marj" area. The first home belonged to the Idris Jabara Abdullah family and was two stories, while the second belonged to Abdul Khaleq Abdullah. In the Silwan neighborhood's Ein Al-Lozeh area, Israeli authorities forced Musa Al-Aour to self-demolish his home, also citing unlicensed construction. These demolitions occur amid ongoing targeting of Palestinian homes and structures in Jerusalem and the West Bank under the pretext of unlicensed building, compounded by restrictions on Palestinian construction and difficulties in obtaining permits. According to the Jerusalem Governorate, Israeli authorities carried out 427 demolition and bulldozing operations in the governorate during the first nine months of 2026, including those by Israeli vehicles and others residents were forced to carry out themselves. Data from the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission indicates that Israeli authorities conducted 1,814 demolition operations in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, between October 7, 2023, and early October 2026, affecting 5,059 structures. This included 1,894 inhabited residences, 307 uninhabited residences, and 1,524 agricultural structures.