Day 199: Jerusalem during “Al-Aqsa Flood” Operation
On the 199th day of "Al-Aqsa Flood Operation", a ramming attack and a shooting attempt occurred in west Jerusalem, while settlers attempted to bring Passover offerings to the Old City and the vicinity of Al-Aqsa, and raids on towns and neighborhoods in the city of Jerusalem continued.
In the early morning hours, the occupation police said that a ramming attack occurred in west Jerusalem, wounding two settlers. The two young men that carried out that attack were able to flee the place, and after hours of searching for them, the forces arrested them.
They are: Hatem Al-Qawasmi and Mu’taz Abu Ghalama, who are from the city of Hebron.
According to the photos shown of the two young men after the arrest, traces of blood appeared on their faces.
Mohammad Mahmoud, the lawyer of the Wadi Hilweh Information Center - Jerusalem, explained that the police extended the detention of the two yung men until next Wednesday, and a decision was issued to “prevent visits” from the lawyer.
Immediately after announcing the operation, the forces closed the military checkpoints set up at the entrances to the city of Jerusalem, deployed checkpoints in its streets, and launched the helicopter into the sky of the city.
Al-Aqsa and Passover
The settlers tried to enter the Old City and the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque with Passover sacrifices (animal sacrifices/goats, Capricorns), and more than 25 settler attempts were recorded, while the police announced that they had arrested 13 of them and transferred them for investigation.
The settlers hid the offerings in bags, boxes, and a stroller, in an attempt to reach the closest location to Al-Aqsa.
The Temple groups had called on their supporters to gather on Monday, at 10:30 p.m. to attempt to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque at midnight to slaughter the sacrifices inside the mosque, announcing financial prizes for anyone who tries to arrive with the sacrifices and whoever is able to slaughter them, which may reach 50 thousand shekels.
Meanwhile, 15 rabbis sent a letter to the office of the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the office of the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gavir, demanding that the settlers be allowed to slaughter the Jewish Passover sacrifices inside Al-Aqsa, starting at midnight Monday, until sunset on Tuesday, the first day of the Jewish Passover holiday.
The Temple groups called for mass raids into Al-Aqsa Mosque, throughout the Passover week, “starting on Tuesday.”
On Monday, 228 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa during the morning and afternoon incursion periods, and the settlers performed their prayers during the storming of Al-Aqsa.
The raids on towns and neighborhoods in the city of Jerusalem continued, and checkpoints were set up in the streets of the city.
The forces also stormed Shu’fat refugee camp and arrested a young man.
