Israeli police and special forces have destroyed the home of a Palestinian family in Sheikh Jarrah, a neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem.

Dozens of Israeli officers violently raided the Salhiyeh home and cordoned off the surrounding area at 3am (01:00 GMT) on Wednesday, just days after the family tried to stave off the demolition by threatening to blow up the house.

Family members told Global News Insight they were waken up by the heavily armed forces who cut off electricity to their home and fired tear gas canisters. Six members of the family, including the head of the household, Mahmoud Salhiyeh, were arrested in the raid.

“They pulled my father out of bed, beat him along with my brothers and cousins,” said Yasmeen Salhiyeh. “[The officers arrested them] without giving them the chance to put clothes on,” added the 19-year-old.

At least 280 Palestinian households in Jerusalem – comprising 970 people, including 424 children – are at risk of forced displacement by Israeli authorities, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.