East Jerusalem residents in the Batn al-Hawa neighborhood of Silwan are facing increased evictions, prompting fear and disruption within the community. Kayed Rajabi, a 50-year-old resident who has lived in his family home his entire life, stated he has stopped going to work as a street sweeper for the Jerusalem municipality, fearing his family will be evicted while he is away.

Rajabi, along with his children and other families facing similar circumstances, have remained in their homes, with children also ceasing to attend school due to the threat of imminent displacement. "I'm 50 years old. I was born here," Rajabi said, expressing his distress while looking across the Silwan valley towards Al-Aqsa Mosque. "I opened my eyes in this house."

The evictions are part of a larger pattern of displacement in East Jerusalem, where Palestinian families are being forced from their homes, often due to claims by Jewish organizations asserting historical ownership. This situation has created a tense environment, with residents feeling increasingly vulnerable and helpless. Rajabi described the situation as causing "enormous pain" in his heart.

The neighborhood of Batn al-Hawa is located in occupied East Jerusalem, a territory that has been under Israeli control since 1967. The international community considers East Jerusalem occupied territory, and the expansion of Israeli settlements and the eviction of Palestinian residents are viewed as violations of international law.

The legal battles surrounding these evictions are often protracted and complex, involving claims of ownership that date back to before the establishment of the state of Israel. Palestinian residents argue that these claims are being used to dispossess them of their homes and land, while Jewish organizations maintain they are reclaiming property rightfully belonging to them.

The current status of the evictions remains uncertain, with legal challenges ongoing. However, the impact on the affected families is already significant, disrupting their lives and creating a sense of instability and insecurity. The situation is being closely monitored by international organizations and human rights groups, who have expressed concern about the humanitarian consequences of the evictions and the potential for further escalation of tensions in the region.