New ‘Nakba’ in Jerusalem: Israel steps up Silwan demolitions near Al-Aqsa

New ‘Nakba’ in Jerusalem: Israel steps up Silwan demolitions near Al-Aqsa Submitted by Lubna Masarwa on Fri, 05/08/2026 - 16:24 Palestinians say Israel is using wartime impunity to accelerate expulsions and expand settler-linked biblical parks, with at least 50 homes demolished since October 2023 A man watches as Israeli forces demolish Palestinian homes near the Silwan neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem on 22 December 2025 (Ammar Awad/Reuters) Off Pointing to the corner where he once shared tea with his mother, Fakhri Abu Diab stands amid the ruins of his demolished home in anguish. “I remember as a child going out with my mother to tend the land, then coming back to this spot to share a cup of tea,” the Palestinian father of five said, gesturing towards the shattered remains of what was once his family home. Located in occupied East Jerusalem's al-Bustan neighbourhood, the house was demolished by Israeli authorities in 2024.