Jerusalem, Aug. 16 (SANA)Israeli occupationauthorities forced a Palestinian resident to demolish his own home in the Silwan neighbourhood ofoccupied Jerusalemearly Sunday, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.

The governorate said Mamoun Salem Shuyukhi demolished the approximately 70-square-metre house in the al-Ain al-Fawqa area after Israeli authorities said it had been built without a permit.

The two-year-old property was home to Shuyukhi, his wife and their three children. Palestinians who do not carry out demolition orders themselves can face substantial charges when Israeli authorities undertake the demolition.

Palestinian officials and human rights organisations say Israel’s restrictive planning system makes building permits extremely difficult for Palestinians to obtain. They describe the demolitions as part of policies intended to displace Palestinian residents while expanding Israeli settlements in Jerusalem and surrounding areas.