Under the pretext of chanting takbirs, residents of Batn al-Hawa face arrests, assaults, and raids
The Batn al-Hawa neighborhood in Silwan, located south of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, remains under daily, arbitrary raids amid a series of eviction orders and notices affecting its homes and residents.
Residents reported that Israeli occupation forces raided multiple homes in the neighborhood late last night, attacking residents and resulting in injuries such as fractures, bruises, and cuts, while causing widespread panic.
This morning, tax collectors inspected homes in the neighborhood, taking measurements and making direct threats to residents. Residents see this as a warning of further actions against them.
Despite ongoing raids and eviction orders, residents persistently chant daily takbirs (God is Great) to oppose the eviction and forced displacement.
Arrests and assaults
Last night, Israeli occupation forces detained Ashraf Kayed al-Rajabi and released him several hours later. He testified that the injuries on his face were clearly visible, describing how the forces severely beat him both when they took him to the police vehicle and while he was inside it.
Musa Jibreel also reported that occupation forces assaulted him last night, resulting in a broken hand and a chest injury after they struck him with rifle butts during a raid on his neighborhood.
Mohammad Kayed al-Rajabi reported that occupation forces raided his home at night, vandalized his belongings, restricted his family's movement, and attacked him. He said he was hit on the chest with rifle butts and that he and his family were subjected to questioning, insults, and profanities under the guise of "chanting takbirs" (Allahu Akbar).
Al-Rajabi stated that the attack affected his entire family and involved intentional destruction of their homes.
Settler attacks go unpunished
Residents of Batn al-Hawa confirmed that settlers are repeatedly attacking the neighborhood. They mentioned filing numerous complaints with the Israeli police, but no action has been taken in response to these attacks.
