The policy of demolishing Palestinian homes in and around Jerusalem is not new, but it has experienced a dangerous escalation in the last two years, the expert warned, speaking to Shihab news agency.

Khater estimated that the authorities have focused their current operations on the southern and eastern suburbs of the city, particularly the Silwan neighborhood, and the Batn al-Hawa and Ras al-Amud districts.

He cited, as an example, Monday’s eviction of the Khalil Basbous family’s home in Batn al-Hawa, which, like the rest of East Jerusalem, was occupied in the 1967 war.

The Center’s director affirmed that the number of homes demolished in Jerusalem last year approached 320.

The occupation authorities have evicted, since 2015, some 16 families from Batn al-Hawa, following demands from the Ateret Cohanim organization.

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