Israel destroys homes in Silwan under the cover of war

In the heart of Silwan, a Palestinian neighborhood near Jerusalem’s Old City, the Odeh family faces the devastation of their demolished homes. Younes Odeh and his grandson stand amid the ruins of what was once their family’s refuge. Israeli bulldozers destroyed Odeh’s son’s house and multiple other homes, part of a long-standing plan to replace the area with an archaeological park.

The plight of the Al-Bustan community, with over 1,500 residents, highlights the pervasive threat of displacement faced by Palestinians in East Jerusalem. The Israeli government’s increased demolitions and settlement expansions exacerbate the housing crisis, leaving families like the Odehs homeless and uncertain about their future.

International advocacy and resident negotiations have temporarily halted the demolitions, but recent developments suggest a looming crisis. The municipality’s unilateral zoning plans and escalated demolitions indicate a dire future for Al-Bustan. As the Odeh family grapples with their loss, the broader Palestinian community faces an existential threat to its identity and heritage in the face of relentless Israeli policies.