Tensions are mounting in Silwan, a historic neighbourhood in East Jerusalem, as authorities accelerate demolitions of Palestinian homes. In the Al Bustan section alone, around seventy houses are slated for destruction, placing more than a thousand residents at immediate risk of losing their homes. Nearby, in Batn Al Hawa, eleven flats belonging to the Rajabi family were recently cleared, displacing roughly sixty-five people as settler groups moved in to occupy the properties.

Residents describe the demolitions as the culmination of years of legal proceedings in Israeli courts. Settler organisations claim historical ownership dating back to the nineteenth century, while Palestinian families insist they hold valid property documents. Courts, however, have repeatedly ruled in favour of the settlers, leaving hundreds of households vulnerable. Reports indicate that over eighty units in Batn Al Hawa face eviction orders, with more than two thousand people across Silwan under the threat of forced removal.

For activists and solidarity networks, Silwan has emerged as a focal point for broader struggles over East Jerusalem. The ongoing demolitions and displacements have raised international concern, with warnings that the measures may breach protections against population transfer under international law. Residents maintain that the campaign reflects a broader attempt to alter the social and political makeup around the Old City, intensifying fears over the future of the community.