Day 454 Jerusalem during “Al-Aqsa Flood” Operation
On the 454th day of "Al-Aqsa Flood” operation, hundreds of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque on the last day of the Hanukkah holiday, while settlers closed a road to Ein Silwan in the town under the pretext of carrying out renovation work. The storming of towns and neighborhoods in Jerusalem continued.
562 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque on the eighth and final day of the Jewish Hanukkah holiday, through the Dung Gate, whose keys have been controlled by the occupation authorities since the occupation of Jerusalem.
The settlers performed their collective prayers in Al-Aqsa.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center - Jerusalem said that 2,535 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque during the Hanukkah holiday, which began on Thursday, December 26, and continued until Thursday, January 2.
The center said that the highest number of settlers that stormed Al-Aqsa was recorded on the last two days of the holiday.
The most prominent violations during the holiday week are:
• On the first day of the holiday, Minister of Internal Security Itamar Ben Gvir stormed Al-Aqsa and prayed in it for the fourth time in 2024, and the seventh since he assumed office.
• Lighting the "Hanukkah" candles in the eastern region. The settlers lit 8 candles and placed them on one of the stones in the eastern region. This is the first time that the candles are lit completely in reference to the days of the holiday. It is noteworthy that in 2021 and 2023, the settlers lit candles and lighters inside Al-Aqsa during the days of the holiday.
• Public and collective prayers inside Al-Aqsa, especially in the eastern region, which included "prostrating, performing special prayers for the holiday, and public prayers."
• Bringing in the prayer tools for synagogues, known as "Tefillin" which is the third time that it has happened, and the first time was in June 2024.
• Blessing the wedding of two newlyweds inside Al-Aqsa and carrying them on the shoulders and dancing with them, in the middle of a circle of a number of settlers, between the northern gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
• Lighting the Hanukkah candlestick at the Al-Qattaneen Gate from the outside.
• Daily nightly prayers at the gates of Al-Aqsa from the outside.
• Complete desecration of the Al-Buraq Wall, and every evening of the holiday witnessed prayers and lighting the holiday candles with the participation of Knesset members and rabbis.
Silwan
Settlers closed one of the roads leading to Ein Silwan, under the pretext of cracks in the place, and prevented a merchant from reaching his shop in the place.
The forces arrested Khaled Al-Zeer while he was at the scene filming and monitoring what was happening.
Raids and checkpoints
The forces continued to raid towns and neighborhoods in Jerusalem, and set up checkpoints in the streets.
Releases
The occupation authorities released the “Imam” of the Shu’fat Mosque, Sheikh Mahmoud Abu Khdair, after completing his 13-month prison sentence.
Sheikh Abu Khdair showed signs of fatigue, weakness, and weight loss.
The young man Akram Abu Sarhan was also released after completing his 9-year sentence.