Israeli troops have demolished a house in East al-Quds (Jerusalem) in the occupied Palestinian territories, claiming the house was built without a permit.

“They are demolishing [the house] because they say there is no permit to build, and here live around 45 old and young people, and they didn't even give us a chance to move the clothes from the house,” Reuters quoted Saleh Abu Castairo, a resident of the house, as saying on Tuesday.

Israeli officials said there was a court order for the demolition of the house because it was built in an area where construction is not allowed.

There are around 300,000 Palestinians living in East al-Quds, which Israel seized in 1967. Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) says that Tel Aviv has systematically prevented Palestinians form living in the area since then.

Israel has demolished more than 2,000 homes in East al-Quds since 1967, with 771 being pulled down between 2000-2011. A further 1,500 demolition orders are pending execution.

Meanwhile, a Press TV report on Monday said that the Israeli army warned Palestinians in the village of Jaba' in the occupied territories that it plans to demolish their homes in order to expand a nearby settlement.

The Israeli regime increased its illegal settlement activities after an upgrade in the Palestinian status at the United Nations General Assembly on November 29, 2012. The 193-member assembly voted 138-9 with 41 abstentions to upgrade Palestine’s status to non-member observer state.

The Israeli settlements are considered illegal by much of the international community. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the settlement construction is part of Tel Aviv’s policy and will not stop.

SOURCE: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/02/06/287496/israeli-forces-demolish-palestinian-house/