For the third day, a campaign of repression and confiscations continues in the Shu’fat refugee camp…Arrests and prison sentences
For the third consecutive day, Israeli occupation authorities continued their extensive raids in the Shu’fat refugee camp, northeast of Jerusalem, as part of an operation they called "Shield of the Capital."
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Jerusalem stated that the campaign started last Monday, involving multiple incursions into the camp, heavy occupation forces deployment in its streets and alleyways, raids on residents' homes, searches, vandalism, threats to residents, and extrajudicial arrests.
The campaign also targeted shops inside the camp, with forces raiding stores, inspecting paperwork and merchandise, issuing fines to owners, and confiscating goods—especially cigarettes and eggs—claiming they were brought from Palestinian Authority areas without permits.
During the campaign, occupation forces set up military checkpoints on the camp's streets, issued fines to owners of vehicles, bicycles, and motorcycles, and confiscated vehicles claiming "outstanding debts."
The Israeli police stated that they seized the following items during the campaign:
- 90,000 packs of cigarettes
- 13,260 eggs
- 10 vehicles seized under the pretext of unpaid taxes
Residents confirmed that the occupation forces conducted their raids in the early morning and late at night, intentionally detaining young men in the field despite the storm and cold. They were subjected to sleep deprivation, prevented from wearing coats, and held for field interrogations in the rain and chill, exposing them to harsh conditions.
The residents reported that the campaign led to the arrest of about 25 young men and boys from the camp in recent days. Some were detained at their homes, while others were stopped in the camp's streets.
The residents added that the occupation authorities issued summonses to residents to appear at various Israeli institutions.
The Israeli police announced that the operation is part of "Operation Shield of the Capital," defining it as a new stage of their ongoing activities in Jerusalem.
Today, Israeli occupation forces raided the home of Mohammad Abu Qteish, who was recently released, in the Shu’fat refugee camp, northeast of Jerusalem. They brought an Israeli flag and attempted to hang it on the house, provoking the family and residents of the camp.
Actual Imprisonment
The court sentenced 21-year-old Samer Kamal Abu Hadwan, from the Shu’fat refugee camp, to six years in prison.
