We document the story of yet another abandoned building, the “Hildon Hotel” on Australia Street in Raouche, where around 600 displaced people, fleeing the Israeli war, sought refuge due to overcrowded official shelters and a lack of alternatives.
The displaced people entered the hotel with the owner’s consent, mediated by “Malik Al-Qadri”, who promised to ensure they would leave once the war ended. Initially, the hotel owner allowed them to stay, but later demanded their eviction despite their efforts to negotiate and offer compensation. After several failed eviction attempts, security forces arrested “Malik” and used his detention to pressure the displaced into leaving. Despite promises of alternative housing, none was provided, leaving many displaced people homeless or forced to return to dangerous zones.
In many instances, displaced individuals and families who temporarily occupied abandoned buildings – often with the owner’s consent – are being evicted without being offered any alternatives, underscoring the urgent need for government intervention. The article calls for the use of vacant housing as a solution, and stresses that evictions should follow legal procedures while providing suitable alternatives. The government should update emergency plans to accommodate the growing number of displaced people and consider using vacant properties as temporary housing.
Read the full text in Arabic.
