Day 56: Al-Aqsa Flood Operation in the city of Jerusalem
On the 56th day of “Al-Aqsa Flood” Operation, the occupation authorities prevented worshipers from entering Al-Aqsa except for small numbers, suppressed prayers in the neighborhoods and streets of Jerusalem, and attacked worshipers, while storming the homes of the martyrs Murad and Ibrahim Nimer in the village of Sur Baher. The forces also closed a number of the main entrances to the villages of Sur Baher and Umm Tuba with cement cubes.
For the eighth Friday... restrictions and siege
The occupation authorities imposed strict restrictions on the entry of worshipers to Al-Aqsa to perform Friday prayers, preventing entry to Al-Aqsa except for elderly men and women worshipers. They also returned many of them and prevented them from entering without reason.
Since the morning hours, forces have been deployed at the gates of Al-Aqsa, and have set up checkpoints at the gates of the Old City, the neighborhoods close to it, and the surrounding streets. They have checked the identities of all those arriving to Al-Aqsa, and prevented thousands from entering and reaching it.
The Islamic Endowments Department said that 3,500 worshipers performed Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
A 75-year-old old man said, “I was prevented from entering Al-Aqsa through Herods Gate and Damascus Gate. I walked towards the New Gate, passing through the markets of Old Jerusalem, until I reached Al-Aqsa. There are various restrictions and procedures against the worshipers, and careful inspections at the gates of the mosque. We are elderly worshipers and are prevented from entering on many days. Restrictions are imposed on us, identity checks, and inspections.”
He said: "Al-Aqsa is sad. For the eighth Friday in a row, the occupation authorities prevent worshipers from entering it."
A young man in his thirties said: “The restrictions and siege have continued since the seventh of last October. I am prevented and forbidden from entering Al-Aqsa and praying there, and when I try to pray at its thresholds, I am suppressed by beatings and pushing.”
Oppression and abuse
As every week, the forces tried to prevent prayers in the streets and at the gates of Al-Aqsa and the Old City. They chased the worshipers from one place to another, and assaulted them by beating, pushing, and threatening to arrest them. Despite this, the worshipers performed prayers at the gates of Al-Aqsa and the roads of the Old City, the Ras Al-Amoud neighborhood in Silwan, the Wadi Al-Joz neighborhood, and Al-Rashid Street.
In the Wadi al-Joz neighborhood, before the call to prayer, the forces heavily fired bombs into the streets of the neighborhood, and while young men gathered for prayer, the forces threw more gas bombs and rubber bullets towards them, and sprayed waste water on the streets of the neighborhood and toward its homes.
Sur Baher
The occupation forces stormed the village of Sur Baher several times and deployed at its entrances. They also raided the homes of the martyrs Murad and Ibrahim Nimer.
After midnight last night, the forces demanded that Nimer's families vacate the two houses.
Closure with cement cubes
The occupation forces closed a number of entrances to the villages of Umm Tuba and Sur Baher with cement cubes, and placed barriers at some of the entrances.
The Committee of Parents of Students in Umm Tuba announced an open strike in the schools and kindergartens of the village of Umm Tuba due to the circumstances the village and neighboring villages are going through, with the closure of their entrances with cement cubes and the difficulty of movement and access for students to their schools.
Confrontations
At noon, clashes broke out in the Wadi al-Joz neighborhood, and forces stormed the neighborhood, sprayed wastewater, and fired tear gas bombs extensively into the streets of the neighborhood.
In the evening hours, clashes broke out in the village of Issawiya.
In the town of Silwan, they stormed neighborhoods, set up a checkpoint in the Bi’er Ayoub neighborhood, and assaulted a group of young men by beating, pushing, and using obscene words against them.
The forces brutally beat the young men with rifle butts and sticks.
The young men suffered various bruises and scratches.
Arrests and summonses continued in the city of Jerusalem during the past hours, and the center monitored the arrest of:
1. Suhair Abu Sbeih: released and deported from Jerusalem, under the pretext of illegal residency, noting that she is married and has lived in the city for 13 years.
2. Enas Al-Shallodi
3. Hadeel Al-Sharif
4. Jamal Shweiki
5. A young man from the vicinity of Wadi Joz
6. A young man from the vicinity of Al-Rashid Street
