LONDON: Israeli authorities have evicted the residents of 13 properties in Palestinian neighborhoods in occupied East Jerusalem, the Wafa news agency reported.
The properties were located in Silwan and Batn al-Hawa, to the south of the walled city.
Five belonged to Nidal Rajabi and his brothers, four to the Yaqoub family, one to the Rizq Salah family and one to Fathi Rajabi.
Israeli forces also seized two apartments in the Batn al-Hawa area of Silwan belonging to the Basbous family, the report said.
The Palestinian Authority said that the evictions were carried out to seize properties for the benefit of settler organizations, which have been developing a tourist attraction dubbed the “City of David” close to Palestinian homes near the Al-Aqsa compound.
It accused Israeli authorities and settlers of attempting to alter the area’s demographics, violating international law and UN resolutions by carrying out evictions and seizing properties.
