Day 96: Jerusalem during “Al-Aqsa Flood” Operation
On the 96th day of “Al-Aqsa Flood Operation”, the occupation forces carried out two demolition operations in Sur Baher and Anata, and confrontations broke out in Shu’fat refugee camp and Issawiya, and in the evening hours, settlers organized a night march on the eve of “the beginning of the Hebrew month,” while the raids on towns and neighborhoods in the city of Jerusalem continued.
Demolition and displacement
The occupation municipality's vehicles demolished a house for the Al-Khatib family in the Deir Al-Amoud area in the village of Sur Baher, south of Jerusalem.
Large forces of police and special units, accompanied by municipal bulldozers and crews, stormed the house of the Al-Khatib family in Deir Al-Amoud. After besieging the area and closing the perimeter of the house, a force stormed it and evacuated its residents, then began the process of demolishing it.
Ansam Al-Khatib explained that the house has been standing for 23 years, and 8 people live in it, and the demolition process took place without prior warning, despite a decision from the District and Municipal courts to freeze the decision.
Al-Khatib added that the municipality began pursuing the family 20 years ago, imposing building violations and fines on them, and the family tried to license it, and the demolition was put on hold.
Al-Khatib pointed out that the bulldozers demolished most of the foundation of the house, prevented family members from emptying its contents or approaching it, and forcibly removed them.
The owner of the house, Musa Al-Khatib, fell ill and lost consciousness, especially since he suffers from several diseases. He was forcibly removed from his house and prevented from approaching it.
The family pointed out that the municipality informed them that “a fine for the demolition fee would be imposed on the family for the municipality, its crews, and the police.”
In the village of Anata, bulldozers demolished a barracks for the Alayan family.
The siege of Al-Aqsa continues
The occupation authorities continued their siege imposed on Al-Aqsa Mosque, by imposing restrictions on entry and permanent stationing at its gates, stopping all visitors, checking their identities and searching them, and allowing a small number of elderly people and women to enter it.
The settlers’ raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque continued, through the Dung Gate, and 131 stormed Al-Aqsa and performed prayers there, while calls continued to carry out a massive raid on Thursday, the Hebrew New Moon.
Night march...road closures
On Wednesday evening, the settlers organized a “monthly march” on the eve of the Hebrew month, in the Old City and its surroundings, all the way to the Al-Buraq Wall, and they performed collective prayers in Al-Buraq Square.
The march took place in the Old City of Jerusalem and along some of the outer gates. During that time, the forces closed some roads and streets and prevented traffic until the end of the march. Police checkpoints were also set up on a number of roads.
The police delayed the arrival of the body of Asma’ Jalajel and the mourners to Bab al-Rahma cemetery, due to the closure of the roads.
Journalist Ahmed Jalajel - the son of the deceased - explained: “The forces delayed the arrival of my mother’s funeral to the Bab al-Rahma cemetery and asked us to change its route due to the presence of a settlers’ march. Small numbers of mourners were able to reach the funeral on foot due to the closure of the streets coinciding with the march, and they also prevented the arrival of vehicles to the area. Mourners had to walk to reach the cemetery.
Jalajel pointed out that his mother had hoped to see her grandson, Othman, who is detained in prison, after there had been no news of him since last October, but she left without saying goodbye to him.
The administrative detention of prisoner Othman Jalajel was renewed in November for the fourth time in a row.
Raids and confrontations
Large forces stormed the village of Issawiya and the Shu’fat refugee camp in the afternoon hours, leading to the outbreak of confrontations.
The people of the village of Issawiya explained that large forces stormed the village and threw tear gas bombs, rubber bullets, and randomly sprayed waste water. During that time, they attacked boys and young men while they were walking in the streets of the village.
The residents added that the raid came at a time when the students were leaving their schools and heading to their homes, which led to them suffering from suffocation and extreme fear.
In Shu’fat refugee camp, the forces closed the checkpoint established at the entrance to the camp, and prevented entry or exit from it during the storming of the camp.
Eyewitnesses explained that the forces stormed the camp and threw heavy bombs, noting that dozens of students were in the streets of the camp and suffered from suffocation and fear.
The forces arrested a young man from Shu’fat refugee camp during the raid.
The raids on the city’s towns and neighborhoods continued, setting up barriers, stopping vehicles, and checking identities.
