A Palestinian man was ordered by Israeli forces to demolish his own house near occupied East Jerusalem, Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

Ayman Awad, a resident of Sur Baher, southeast of Jerusalem, lost the home yesterday. Locals say Israeli authorities gave him an ultimatum to either tear down his home or have the Israeli municipality demolish it, stated Al Jazeera.

Wafa reported that he was told he would have to pay steep fees if he chose the latter option.

This year, Israeli authorities have demolished more than 600 homes in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem under this pretext, according to rights organisation B’tselem.