Prison sentences, arrests, and deportations target activists and students from Al-Aqsa School
In Jerusalem, the ongoing crackdown involves arrests, deportations, and imprisonment of Palestinians, especially activists and individuals who visit the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This reflects an intensifying policy aimed at diminishing the Palestinian presence in both the city and the mosque.
This morning, Israeli intelligence officers raided Nafisa Khweis’s home in Jerusalem, arresting her and taking her to the Al-Qishla police station in Jerusalem's Old City. After about three hours of detention and questioning, she was released on the condition that she stays away from the Al-Aqsa Mosque for a week, with the potential to extend the ban for up to six months.
Likewise, Israeli authorities issued Jerusalemite activist Mohammad Abu al-Hummus a six-month ban from Al-Aqsa Mosque through WhatsApp. This followed his arrest inside the mosque on May 8, 2026, and his release on the condition that he stay away from the mosque and the Old City temporarily.
For the second consecutive time, authorities have extended the six-month ban on Jerusalemite Nawaf al-Salaymeh from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The authorities also decided to ban the boy Ragheb Majed al-Jo’beh from Al-Aqsa Mosque for six months. He is a high school student at Al-Aqsa Islamic School. His arrest and ban happened during his high school exams, disrupting his ability to take the tests and continue his education.
Regarding the sentences, the Wadi Hilweh Information Center explained that the Israeli District Court issued sentences of two years and two months (26 months) of actual imprisonment against the boys Munther al-Msha’sha’, Mohammad Abu Asab, and Mohammad al-Khatib.
