Palestinian businesses demolished in East Jerusalem

JERUSALEM (Ma’an) -- Israeli authorities on Wednesday demolished the businesses of a Palestinian resident northeast of Jerusalem, witnesses said.

Forces destroyed two garages, a car wash and building materials belonging to Abed Al-Aziz Al-Khatib, a resident of Hizma.

The buildings provided the main source of income for Al-Khatib's 50-member family, he said.

In a report released Tuesday, Israeli rights group Ir Amim noted a sharp increase in home demolitions in occupied East Jerusalem, a move it said was intended to drive Palestinian residents out.

Israel says it demolishes buildings constructed without a permit. But Palestinian residents say such permits are nearly impossible to obtain.

At the same time in the southern West Bank, Israeli forces handed a number of demolition orders to residents of the Ein Assy area in Halhul south of the West Bank city of Hebron, locals said.

Residents said Israeli authorities told them the buildings were slated for demolition because they were built without permission in Area C, under full Israeli planning control.

Area C makes up 60 percent of the West Bank, and Palestinian building is rarely approved by Israeli authorities.

Locals said most of the homes to be demolished have been inhabited for many years, and that one of the buildings was a Palestinian Authority civil defense center.

Israel's Civil Administration could not be reached for comment by phone.