May 2026 in the city of Jerusalem
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center – Jerusalem released its monthly report for May 2026, highlighting the key Israeli violations and actions in occupied Jerusalem.
Throughout the month, the city experienced ongoing escalation across multiple areas, such as increased violations at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, more incursions and public Jewish religious rituals there, and a rise in demolitions and displacements affecting Palestinian homes and properties in various Jerusalem neighborhoods and towns.
Campaigns of arrest, summons, and expulsion at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City persisted, alongside settler attacks on Palestinians and their property, settlement development, and actions intended to establish additional realities on the ground in the occupied city.
A Martyr
On May 11, Ayman al-Hashlamon, 30 years old, was killed during a gunfight with occupation forces at Qalandia refugee camp, north of Jerusalem. His body was later taken.
Al-Aqsa Mosque: sacrifices, Israeli flags, and growing efforts to establish new realities.
In May, the Al-Aqsa Mosque experienced a new rise in Israeli violations, including expanding incursions, increasing public Jewish rituals in its courtyards, and repeated efforts to impose new realities based on Israeli claims of “sovereignty” over the mosque.
Among the most prominent violations witnessed at the mosque during the month:
On May 1, 2026, twenty-one settlers tried to breach the Al-Aqsa Mosque through Hutta Gate, carrying an animal to sacrifice inside during the observance known as the "Second Passover." They succeeded in crossing the iron barrier at the gate but were then stopped by mosque guards and prevented from entering.
On May 5, 2026, 457 settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque to mark the observance of the "Lag BaOmer" holiday.
On May 13, 2026, Israeli Minister of the Negev and Galilee, Yitzhak Wasserol, stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
On May 14, 2026, 1,490 settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque to mark the anniversary of the so-called "unification of Jerusalem," commemorating the occupation of the eastern part of the city. The event was led by Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, accompanied by other ministers, Knesset members, and Israeli officials, highlighting the increasing official backing for ongoing violations at the mosque.
On May 21, 2026, 444 settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque, coinciding with the anniversary of what is known as "Shavuot" or "the Descent of the Torah."
On May 22, 2026, during the anniversary of "Shavuot/the Descent of the Torah," several settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque via the Al-Ghawanmeh Gate. They carried what was described as a "vegetable offering," which included bread, wine, and a bloodstained cloth, attempting to imitate the sacrificial rituals linked to the alleged Temple. One participant wore priestly attire for the ritual slaughter. The settlers attacked the mosque guards during the event before being expelled from the area.
On May 31, 2026, settlers displayed Israeli flags within the Al-Aqsa Mosque during incursions, asserting that Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir had authorized them to do so inside the mosque.
In May, the escalation was not only about more intruders and more frequent incursions but also involved an unprecedented expansion of Jewish religious rituals and ceremonies within the Al-Aqsa Mosque, as part of ongoing efforts to establish a new status quo there. The month also saw increased involvement from Israeli officials, including ministers, Knesset members, and the head of the National Security Committee, highlighting growing political and governmental backing for these incursions and the ongoing changes within the site.
During the month, there was a noticeable increase in the activity of public Jewish rituals and ceremonies within the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Settlers held group prayers in various courtyards, especially in the eastern section near the Bab al-Rahma prayer area. They also sang religious hymns, organized singing and dancing circles, recited the Israeli national anthem, and performed the collective "epic prostration." Additionally, they brought and wore tefillin, traditional Jewish prayer items.
On the anniversary of the so-called "Jerusalem Day," a settler attached an Israeli flag to a wall in the Bab al-Rahma prayer area. On the same day, during a raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Itamar Ben-Gvir raised the Israeli flag inside the mosque, stating, "We have restored rule and sovereignty to the Temple Mount thanks to decisiveness and deterrence... The Temple Mount is in our hands." He also led prayers within the mosque.
The month also saw an increase in Israeli political efforts to push for additional changes at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Ministers and Knesset members submitted a letter to Israeli police leadership, calling for permits for settlers to storm the mosque on Friday, the day of "Jerusalem Day," or for it to be accessible to them during night hours. This development indicates ongoing attempts to broaden these incursions and modify the existing status quo at the mosque.
Incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque continue almost daily through the Dung Gate, whose keys are held by occupation authorities since Jerusalem's occupation. These visits happen every day except on Fridays, Saturdays, Islamic holidays, or special occasions. Each day’s incursions are split into two sessions, roughly six and a half hours each—one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The Flag March: Isolating the city and escalating settler attacks
The "Flag March" has become one of Jerusalem's most provocative annual events. It involves strict security measures that isolate large parts of the city and often lead to settler assaults on Palestinians and their property, all while extremist religious and nationalist slogans emphasize the assault on the city's Palestinian identity.
Tens of thousands of settlers desecrated Jerusalem during the "Flag Dance" march, which they celebrate as "Jerusalem Day," marking the occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967.
The march led to widespread closures of the Old City and nearby areas, with military checkpoints established and main roads closed. This effectively isolated the area, blocking Palestinians from reaching key locations, including the Old City, Sultan Suleiman Street, Nablus Street, Route 1, the Al-Musrara neighborhood, and Damascus Gate. Many residents of the Old City also faced restrictions on freely entering or leaving their homes and were frequently subjected to searches at checkpoints.
Since early morning, the Old City experienced attacks on merchants and pedestrians, causing many shop owners to shut down. The march included singing, dancing, and loudspeaker announcements, with participants waving Israeli flags and banners about the so-called "Temple." They shouted racist, inflammatory slogans against Arabs, along with insults and chants targeting Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
In addition to the main march, convoys of vehicles and trucks with loudspeakers traveled through the neighborhoods of Sheikh Jarrah, Wadi al-Joz, al-Sowaneh, al-Tur, and Ras al-Amoud, featuring loud singing and chanting, along with street closures.
The attacks extended beyond the day of the march. Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Jerusalem recorded numerous incidents over four days, such as attacks on homes, shops, pedestrians, and merchants, involving physical violence and property destruction. Many attackers were armed. Meanwhile, Israeli police arrested several Palestinians who were victims of these assaults, but did not take similar action against many of the settler assailants.
Settlement plans and government approvals
In May, the Israeli government approved several settlement plans and measures designed to strengthen Israeli control over Palestinian sites and lands in occupied Jerusalem.
On May 17, the Israeli government approved a plan to target Palestinian properties and lands on Bab al-Silsileh Street in the Old City, a key route leading to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The plan involves seizing Palestinian homes, shops, and properties to expand the so-called "Jewish Quarter" and bolster Israeli control over the area between Bab al-Silsileh and the Al-Buraq Wall.
During the same session, the Israeli government approved a plan to target the UNRWA headquarters in Sheikh Jarrah. The plan involves transforming the compound into an Israeli military facility that will contain offices and facilities for the Israeli Ministry of Defense and the army.
These decisions continue Israeli policies focused on expanding settlement projects and strengthening control over key strategic areas in Jerusalem, especially near the Old City and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. They also target Palestinian and international institutions active in the city.
Arrests and prosecutions
In May 2026, Israeli occupation authorities conducted almost daily arrest campaigns in Jerusalem, targeting children, teenagers, women, and the elderly. They also detained dozens of West Bank ID holders under the guise of "illegal residency."
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Jerusalem reported over 300 arrests documented in the past month.
The center stated that numerous arrests took place mainly in the Old City, around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and nearby areas. These arrests involved staff from the Islamic Endowment Department, women, young men, and children, especially on Fridays and the first day of Eid al-Adha.
According to the center's records, several detainees were beaten during their arrest, transfer, or detention at police stations. There were also reports of violations and degrading treatment against some detainees while they were in custody.
Throughout the month, arrests related to expulsions from Al-Aqsa Mosque increased. The center documented over 25 cases of Palestinians detained for allegedly violating these expulsion orders, with most of them later released under conditions that included renewing their expulsion from Al-Aqsa Mosque or the Old City, even though many denied any breach of the expulsion terms.
In May, a court hearing took place for Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the imam and preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque and head of the Supreme Islamic Council, on charges of "incitement to terrorism" linked to his past statements and positions. The court postponed the case until September.
Demolition and displacement: A continuing policy against Jerusalemites
In May, demolition operations persisted in Jerusalem. The Wadi Hilweh Information Center reported 27 instances of demolitions and land confiscations impacting residential homes, commercial properties, walls, and land across various neighborhoods and towns in the city.
Almost half of the demolitions were conducted by the owners themselves, as part of the "forced self-demolition" policy enforced by the occupation municipality on Jerusalem residents. This was done under the threat of hefty fines and being billed for demolition costs if the municipality performed the demolition.
The town of Silwan experienced the most demolitions, especially in the Al-Bustan neighborhood. This area is undergoing a severe phase of demolitions, land confiscation, and land razing as part of a plan to create the so-called "King's Garden," which comes at the expense of Palestinian homes and properties in the neighborhood.
The occupation authorities persist in demolishing structures citing lack of permits, while simultaneously imposing complex, costly, and lengthy procedures for obtaining building approvals—often exceeding the financial means of Jerusalem residents.
As Eid al-Adha approached, demolitions continued, forcing families to confront the destruction of their homes and facilities as deadlines set by the occupation municipality passed. Some demolitions occurred just days before the holiday, a recurring scene that results in dozens of families facing displacement and loss of shelter instead of preparing for the celebrations.
Bans from Al-Aqsa and the Old City: An ongoing measure to limit Palestinian presence
In May, Israeli occupation authorities kept imposing bans on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City, part of an ongoing campaign that has significantly intensified in recent months.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center – Jerusalem recorded 67 bans at Al-Aqsa and in the Old City during the month, involving religious figures, Islamic Endowment Department staff, journalists, women, and boys, including a 12-year-old girl.
The bans ranged from restrictions on entering Al-Aqsa Mosque for different durations to bans covering the entire Old City, continuing to use bans as a means to limit the Palestinian presence in and around Al-Aqsa Mosque.
