February 2026 in the city of Jerusalem
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center – Jerusalem released its February monthly report, highlighting key Israeli incidents and violations in Jerusalem. Notably, the report covers violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, expulsion orders from the mosque, demolitions, forced displacements, and ongoing arrest campaigns targeting different segments of the city's population.
Al-Aqsa Mosque
In February, Al-Aqsa Mosque experienced ongoing daily violations and assaults, as hundreds of settlers carried out incursions supported directly by the government and protected by occupation forces on the ground, except on Fridays, Saturdays, and Islamic religious holidays and events.
The incursions occurred twice daily: once in the morning and again after the noon prayer. The total number of intruders was around 4,800, including extremist settlers and Jewish students, among them Knesset member Amit Halevi.
Key violations and events at Al-Aqsa Mosque:
February 28, 2026:
The Israeli occupation authorities entirely closed Al-Aqsa Mosque after evacuating all prayer areas and mosques, leaving only the mosque guards present. This happened immediately after the start of the Israeli-American conflict with Iran and the declaration of a state of emergency in the country. According to the Home Front Command, activities were limited to "essential only," which included banning education, gatherings, and work.
During Ramadan each year, Al-Aqsa Mosque is typically bustling with hundreds of thousands of worshippers from different regions. However, following its closure, it seemed entirely deserted, with only a handful of Islamic Waqf employees present.
As Ramadan begins, extremist organizations controlling Temple Mount announced they will extend their incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by an additional hour each day. This change is in response to the mosque's closure to settler visits in the afternoons.
They announced that the incursions would start at 6:30 AM instead of 7:00 AM and last until 11:30 AM instead of 11:00 AM, amid calls to broaden the scope of the incursions and establish new realities at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Throughout the month, the Al-Aqsa courtyards have increasingly become a place for public prayers, singing, dancing, prostration, clapping, and whistling. These activities, now a daily occurrence, indicate a gradual shift in the traditional status quo at Al-Aqsa.
During Ramadan, Israeli occupation authorities restricted access for Palestinians holding West Bank IDs, issuing only 10,000 permits. These permits were limited to specific groups: women over 50, men over 55, and children under 12 accompanied by an adult. Officials also explained that each permit was valid for one visit only, allowing worshippers to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque just once per month.
Throughout Ramadan, Israeli forces intentionally raided Al-Aqsa Mosque, especially on Fridays and during Ishaa and Taraweeh prayers, making arbitrary arrests inside the mosque and among worshippers.
On Fridays, during the Ishaa and Taraweeh prayers, hundreds of young men were randomly stopped from entering Al-Aqsa and turned away without any explanation. Some faced physical assaults, including pushing and beatings, after body searches.
Unprecedented escalation in expulsion orders from Al-Aqsa Mosque
February saw an unprecedented increase in the number of expulsion orders issued from Al-Aqsa Mosque, targeting more groups than ever before. These orders, which reached new heights before and during Ramadan, started even before the holy month and persisted into its beginning. This trend clearly aims to diminish the Palestinian presence in the mosque during its most religious and socially sensitive time.
The bans targeted employees of the Islamic Endowment Department, released prisoners, Jerusalem activists, and journalists.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Jerusalem reported nearly 400 bans, some involving restrictions at Al-Aqsa Mosque or in the city of Jerusalem and its Old City. These bans lasted from one week up to six months, often starting with an initial one-week ban that was then extended for four to six months, turning a temporary restriction into a long-term exclusion.
Weekly deportation orders are issued by the "Chief Inspector/Investigations Department at the Qishla Police Station," whereas long-term deportation orders are issued by Jerusalem District Commander "Avshalom Peled." These orders cite reasons such as 'preventing incidents,' "maintaining security,' safeguarding property, and preventing harm.
Summonses are issued through various methods such as raiding residential homes, making arrests at workplaces or homes, and issuing direct telephone summonses. This approach reflects a policy of ongoing pressure and persecution against the targeted individuals.
Closure of Burj Al-Laqlaq Community Association
On February 17, 2026, Israeli occupation forces shut down the Burj Al-Laqlaq Community Association headquarters in the Old City of Jerusalem for six months, following an order from Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Led by intelligence agents and municipal workers, the forces stormed the association's office in Bab Hutta, imposing a complete siege. They evicted employees and staff from their offices before delivering the closure order.
The closure order cited the 1994 'Law for the Implementation of the Interim Agreement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip (Determination of Activities)' and the powers granted by Article (3b). It claimed that the association's activities were conducted on behalf of or under the protection of the Palestinian Authority within Israel's recognized borders, without the necessary written authorization as required by Article (3a).
A few days following the closure decision, the occupation municipality issued a demolition order for one of the Burj Al-Laqlaq Association's facilities in the Old City of Jerusalem, specifically the "Burj Tent." This facility was used for training, sports, celebrations, women's activities, and other community events.
Demolitions and eviction orders
In February 2026, Israeli occupation authorities persisted in their campaign of demolitions and displacements in Jerusalem, citing "building without a permit" as the reason, which is part of a broader, systematic effort to weaken the Palestinian community in the city.
In February, the Wadi Hilweh Information Center – Jerusalem recorded 24 demolitions across the city, involving both residential and commercial buildings, as well as walls.
The occupation authorities, via the Enforcement and Execution Department, continued issuing eviction notices to residents of Batn al-Hawa in Silwan. This is part of a settlement plan intended to seize over five dunams of land, justified by claims that the land belongs to Jews of Yemeni origin.
The Enforcement and Execution Department issued eviction notices to 11 apartments, requiring tenants to vacate by March 23, 2026. This puts 60 residents at risk of losing their homes and being forcibly displaced. Additionally, notices were served for part of a house and a parking area tied to the same case.
Another notice to vacate part of a house and a parking space was also issued in connection with the case.
Land confiscation and notices to remove trees
The Israeli army announced the seizure of 286 square meters of land in Beit Hanina for military use, stating it was "confiscated."
The occupation authorities also issued notices to cut down hundreds of trees in Sur Baher, claiming they are within what they refer to as the buffer zone along the apartheid wall.
Deportation orders and revocation of residency permits for Jerusalemite prisoners
In February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the deportation of two Jerusalem prisoners to the Gaza Strip and canceled their permanent residency.
The decision involved deporting prisoner Mohammad Ahmad Hussein al-Halsa from Jabal al-Mukabber and releasing prisoner Mahmoud Ahmad from Kafr Aqab, north of Jerusalem. Both were expelled to the Gaza Strip and had their permanent residency rights in the city revoked.
In the same context, eight prisoners from Jerusalem were issued deportation orders, revoking their permanent residency rights. Among these were prisoners who had been released as part of a prisoner exchange deal.
Arrests
In February 2026, Israeli occupation authorities continued their daily arrest campaigns in Jerusalem, targeting children, teenagers, women, and the elderly, as well as dozens of West Bank ID holders, all under the guise of "illegal residency."
That month, more than 160 detainees from Jerusalem were held, including women, teenagers, the elderly, and West Bank ID holders.
Five young residents of Jerusalem were also taken into custody, including two who work for the Islamic Endowment Department.
Closure of major intersections in the Al-Dahiyeh area
In February, Israeli occupation forces installed concrete blocks at several key intersections in the Al-Dahiyeh area of Jerusalem, amid a heavy deployment of their forces.
This measure significantly disrupted the movement of Jerusalemite citizens, including residents, business owners, visitors, and students, making it difficult to reach workplaces and educational institutions. The closures intensified residents' hardships, especially for the elderly, sick, women, and children, who had to walk long distances without viable alternative routes or bypass options.
Settler attacks
Settlers slashed the tires of over 10 trucks and vehicles in Sur Baher, near the Armon Hanatziv settlement.
They also targeted the Church of the Visitation in the abandoned village of Ein Kerem, spray-painting racist slogans on its walls and vandalizing nearby vehicles.
