Day 36: Al-Aqsa Flood Operation in the city of Jerusalem
On the 36th day of “Al-Aqsa Flood” Operation, the siege imposed on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City continued, and a Jerusalemite family self-demolished their homes in the town of Silwan, while the patriarchs and heads of churches in the city of Jerusalem announced the cancellation of activities celebrating Christmas.
Siege of Al-Aqsa
Since the seventh of last October, the occupation authorities have continued the siege on Al-Aqsa Mosque, by deploying forces at its gates, placing iron barriers, checking identities, and preventing entry to it except for Islamic Endowment employees and the elderly, and requiring most of the elderly to be “residents” of the Old City of Jerusalem.
Likewise, the forces continue to impose restrictions on entry into the Old City, preventing young men, searching girls, and checking their identities before allowing them to enter.
The forces also continue to prevent people from sitting or being present in Damascus Gate area.
The forces also continued to set up flying checkpoints in the streets, neighborhoods and towns of Jerusalem.
Demolition
The Dandis family carried out the self-demolition of their two homes in the Wadi Qaddoum neighborhood in Silwan, by decision of the occupation municipality.
The Dandis family explained that they demolished the house of Bader and his son Mahmoud, by decision of the municipality, under the pretext of building without a permit.
The family pointed out that the building had been in place for 14 years, and a “building violation” worth 40,000 shekels was imposed on the family.
The Dandis family used manual demolition tools to implement the decision to demolish the two houses located on the fifth floor, which were built of reinforced sheet metal.
The demolition process displaced Bader's family of 7 individuals from their home that is 80 square meters, and the family of his son Mahmoud and his wife, whose house is 60 square meters.
Patriarchs and heads of churches in the city of Jerusalem
The patriarchs and heads of churches in the city of Jerusalem announced the cancellation of this year’s Christmas celebrations, as the war on the Gaza Strip continues.
Patriarchs and heads of churches in the city of Jerusalem said in a statement, “These days we are not living in normal times. Since the start of the war on Gaza, we have been living in a painful and sad atmosphere. Thousands of innocent people have lost their lives, and many more have been seriously injured, and people are experiencing a state of grief over the loss of their loved ones, and are worried about those whose fate is unknown. In our region, many people have lost their jobs and are suffering from serious economic challenges. Despite our repeated calls for a ceasefire and a reduction in violence, the war continues.”
He called on the patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem to stand firm in these circumstances and abandon any unnecessary celebratory activities. They called on the priests to focus more on the spiritual meaning of Christmas in pastoral activities and religious rituals, to focus with those affected by this war and its consequences, and to pray for a just and permanent peace.”
Arrests and raids
The raids on towns and neighborhoods in the city of Jerusalem continued, and in the evening hours, the forces stormed the village of Issawiya.
The forces also arrested Ms. Jamila Jbareen.
