The Presidency of the Palestinian Authority considered the Israeli Occupation demolishment of two homes of the Salihiya family in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem, a “war crime”, holding the Israeli Occupation government responsible for its serious repercussions.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the presidency called on the US administration to take responsibility and immediately intervene to stop the ongoing Israeli Occupation crimes against the Palestinian people in Jerusalem, specifically the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

It also called for expediting the provision of international protection for the Palestinian people.

Early Wednesday, the Israeli Occupation destroyed the home of the Salihiya family and arrested at least 18 people as they carried out a controversial eviction order in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

Also Read: Owner of Sheikh Jarrah house threatens to burn himself alive if evicted

Two days ago, the Israeli Occupation Forces raided the property of the Salihiya family in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem, to implement the “eviction” decision.

The Sailhyia family from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Jerusalem threatened to explode gas cylinders and set themselves on fire if the IOF stormed the property to make them leave their home.

Mahmoud Salihiya said, “On my land here... I will only come out dead... My children and I will die and we will not leave... we go from here to the grave only.”

Various forces of Yamam, intelligence and special forces besieged the homes of the Salihiya family, while the family members sat on the roofs and in front of the house carrying gas cylinders, refusing to evacuate.

He explained that they have been living in their property since the year of the Nakba (1948) after their displacement, while the municipality is seeking to vacate the property under the pretext of public interest.

Many believe that the municipality is taking an illegal procedure. “Is it reasonable to displace 3 families on the pretext of public interest. The municipality has predicted the court's decision and intends to displace us,” the family said.

Salihiya real estate consists of two houses, a commercial establishment and a piece of land, and this eviction comes after 23 years in which the family fought in the courts to protect its property, but the municipality confiscated it under the pretext of public interest.

The property of the Salhiya family is a few meters away from the Shepherd Hotel, which was demolished in 2011 and 28 settlement units were built there. Currently, there is work being done to expand the number of settlement units in it.