June 2026 in the city of Jerusalem
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center – Jerusalem released its monthly report for June 2026, outlining the key Israeli violations and actions in Jerusalem.
Throughout the month, violations persisted at Al-Aqsa Mosque amid increasing demolition, displacement, and confiscation activities in various Jerusalem neighborhoods and towns. Campaigns involving arrests, summons, and expulsions from Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City also continued, alongside other measures impacting different aspects of daily life for Jerusalem residents.
Martyrdom of a boy by Israeli occupation forces
On June 29, 2026, 15-year-old Amir Ahmed Jawad Jaber was shot twice—once in the head and once in the chest—by Israeli occupation forces during a raid in the Umm al-Sharayet neighborhood of al-Bireh in the West Bank.
Al-Aqsa Mosque: Ongoing violations
In June 2026, over 4,870 settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque during morning and afternoon incursions through the Dung Gate, whose keys have been held by Israeli occupation authorities since they occupied Jerusalem.
The month saw ongoing violations of the mosque's sanctity, with settlers conducting prayers and public religious rituals in its courtyards, along with provocative tours, all protected by occupation forces, who still imposed restrictions on Palestinian worshippers' entry.
The month included a significant incident where Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel carried out religious rituals inside the mosque, part of a broader pattern of Israeli government officials and political figures engaging in such incursions.
Another important development was the repeated raising of Israeli flags inside the mosque. Most notably, there was an unprecedented scene where flags were raised en masse in the courtyards, under the direct protection of Israeli police. This was followed by individual flag-raising incidents on later days, showing an escalation in efforts to affirm Israeli sovereignty over the site.
This escalation occurred weeks after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir displayed the Israeli flag inside the mosque during a raid on 'Jerusalem Day.' Extremist Temple Mount groups saw this as a sign of policy change concerning flag-raising, noting a relaxation of earlier restrictions on settlers engaging in such acts. They publicly thanked Ben-Gvir after the large flag-raising event.
The month also saw Rabbi Dov Kook’s ultra-Orthodox group participate in a major storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, where they conducted group prayers in its courtyards. This event was described by 'Temple' groups as 'historic,' marking a significant shift in the ultra-Orthodox stance, which had traditionally opposed entering the mosque.
In a related development, Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, reported a trend among the Israeli police to increasingly recruit religious individuals and settlers for units operating at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This initiative has sparked concerns about boosting the influence of nationalist and extremist religious groups over the police presence at the mosque.
Sukut conducts provocative raids on schools in Kafr Aqab and Shu’fat, warning of closure and funding cuts
In June 2026, Jerusalem saw a series of raids led by Zvi Sukut, the Knesset Education Committee head and member, targeting various schools in Kafr Aqab, the Shu’fat refugee camp, and Wadi al-Joz. These actions were part of a broader campaign perceived as increasing incitement against Palestinian education in Jerusalem.
On June 11, 2026, Israeli forces, supported by numerous police and border guards, raided near the Dar al-Huda Model School and Kindergarten in Shu'fat refugee camp. The school administration was questioned and accused of links to organizations banned by Israel, especially concerning funding and curriculum. The raid also involved threats to shut down the institutions and withdraw their funding.
On June 18, 2026, Israeli forces raided Kafr Aqab and the nearby areas of its schools. Students at the Doha School were briefly detained and couldn't leave while soldiers were on site. The occupation authorities warned that the schools could face closure and funding cuts unless they adopted the Israeli curriculum. They accused local educational institutions in Kafr Aqab of receiving funding and teaching "incendiary" content, asserting that this must stop.
On June 25, 2026, Israeli forces raided the grounds of the "Comprehensive Muslim Girls' School" in Jerusalem. Sukut and his companions claimed the school was operating without a license from the Israeli Ministry of Education and accused it of inappropriate educational content and curriculum. The forces confiscated maps and educational materials, threatened to close the institution, and documented slogans and graffiti on the school walls related to Palestinian identity and the Arab character of the cities.
The raid occurred while high school students' national exams. Sukot attempted to enter the exam halls but was stopped and denied access.
These raids are part of an ongoing escalation against Palestinian educational institutions in Jerusalem. They involve administrative and financial harassment, as well as efforts to restrict curricula and educational content under security and educational pretexts.
In a related incident, occupation forces stormed the comprehensive Muslim Girls School in Wadi al-Joz on June 17, 2026, and summoned the school principal for questioning. Palestinian flags, a keffiyeh, and various school papers and materials were confiscated.
Ben-Gvir storms Silwan and boasts of ongoing demolitions
At the end of June, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the town of Silwan, passing through neighborhoods such as Batn al-Hawa, Bi’er Ayoub, Wadi Hilweh, and the area around al-Bustan. The visit was marked by a significant presence of occupation forces and the closure of multiple streets.
During the raid, Ben-Gvir highlighted the reinforcement of what he termed "Israeli sovereignty" and asserted control over Palestinian neighborhoods in Jerusalem. He also took pride in the increased number of house demolitions in Silwan, noting that 20 houses were demolished simultaneously and affirming that such demolitions would continue. Additionally, he expressed satisfaction with the Israeli police's performance in the area.
Ben-Gvir's tour covered neighborhoods experiencing a rapid increase in displacement and settlement activities. In Batn al-Hawa, 33 Palestinian families were displaced over the past two years to accommodate settlers, affecting more than 150 people. An additional 27 families are at risk of forced eviction. In Wadi Hilweh, continued pressure on Palestinian residents is evident due to excavation work, tunnels beneath the neighborhood, and the expansion of settlement and tourism projects. Similarly, in al-Bustan, over 60 homes have been demolished in the same period, displacing around 300 Palestinians. The entire area still faces demolition threats as part of a settlement scheme to create the "King's Garden" (Biblical Garden) and to build tourist facilities and parking areas for settlers, often at the cost of Palestinian homes.
Seizing church land in Silwan and obliterating its historical character
On June 15, 2026, Israeli occupation authorities seized about 11 dunams of land belonging to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Silwan's al-Abbasyeh neighborhood. This land, known as the Greek Orthodox Monastery, is part of church property and contains Roman-era artifacts, including tombs and archaeological markers, underscoring its religious and historical significance for Christians. Located near the ancient Greek Orthodox monastery, the al-Hamra area, and the historic Silwan Spring, this territory is a key part of the town's sensitive religious and historical landscape.
The land is a significant church site owned by the Patriarchate and officially registered in its name. Its seizure is very dangerous, as it not only targets church property but also relates to broader efforts to change the area's historical and religious identity. Last month, Israeli occupation forces repeatedly raided the land, confiscating equipment and vehicles, and uprooting trees planted years ago. They also surrounded the property with barriers, walls, and gates, preventing the monastery's representative from accessing the site or being on it. The Patriarchate called this move "illegal and illegitimate."
The occupation authorities claimed the action was justified by "environmental development and agriculture" as part of a horticulture project, referencing a 2019 order that will expire in April 2024. The Patriarchate argues that this justification does not provide a valid legal basis for confiscation, emphasizing its ability to engage in horticultural activities without violating its ownership rights.
A court session took place to examine the confiscation case, where the occupation authorities tried to contest the land ownership. However, the Patriarchate provided documents and manuscripts from the Ottoman period that verified its ownership.
A long-term Israeli contract to operate the Seven Arches Hotel sparks concerns about gaining too much control over one of Jerusalem's most iconic landmarks
The Custodian of Absentee Property, linked with occupation authorities, signed a 25-year agreement with Israeli company "Bay Siam" to manage the historic Seven Arches Hotel near the Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque. This includes a 15-year term with an option to extend approximately 10 more years. The deal has raised concerns among Jerusalemites about increasing Israeli influence over a key historical site in East Jerusalem. The contract also stipulates restoration and rehabilitation work on the hotel before it reopens for tourism.
Situated on the Mount of Olives, the hotel was constructed between 1962 and 1964 during Jordan's control of Jerusalem, on land leased from the Islamic Endowment Department. Originally opened as the InterContinental Hotel Jerusalem, the hotel's management was transferred to the Custodian of Absentee Property after East Jerusalem's occupation in 1967, under the Absentee Property Law. Subsequently, it was renamed the Seven Arches Hotel.
Jerusalem residents see the new agreement as more than just a management contract; it effectively gives an Israeli company the authority to oversee one of East Jerusalem's key historic and tourist sites for many years, thereby strengthening Israeli sovereignty over the property.
Demolition and displacement: A continued policy against Jerusalemites
In June, demolition activities persisted in Jerusalem, with the Wadi Hilweh Information Center recording 24 instances of demolitions and bulldozing. These targeted residential homes, businesses, walls, and land across neighborhoods such as Kafr Aqab, Silwan, Jabal al-Mukabber, al-Tur, and Sur Baher. The operations affected both occupied structures and those still under construction.
Six of these operations were performed by the property owners themselves, under the "forced self-demolition" policy enforced by the occupation municipality on Jerusalemites. This policy threatens residents with heavy fines and requires them to cover demolition costs if municipal crews execute the order.
Shu'fat refugee camp: Widespread damage in a campaign targeting shops and infrastructure
On June 23, occupation authorities, via their different units, conducted a major operation in Shu'fat refugee camp. The campaign involved demolitions, seizure of goods, and the bulldozing of infrastructure along the road from the camp checkpoint to the Dahiyat al-Salam junction.
The campaign focused on storefronts, signs, awnings, gas stations, fences, and water tanks, as well as numerous other commercial venues such as clothing stores, restaurants and cafes, auto repair shops, barbershops, household goods stores, butcher shops, clinics, and mobile phone shops. This caused considerable damage to over 50 businesses.
The forces also stopped vehicles across the area, carried out inspections and license revocations, imposed arbitrary fines, summoned shop owners to the occupation municipality, opened tax files, and reviewed business licenses. This is part of a systematic policy aimed at restricting economic activity in the camp.
Arrests
In June 2026, occupation authorities conducted nearly daily arrest campaigns in Jerusalem, targeting children, teenagers, women, the elderly, and dozens of West Bank ID holders on the grounds of "illegal residency." The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Jerusalem reported more than 215 arrests in June.
Expulsions from Al-Aqsa and the Old City
The issuance of expulsion orders from Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City persisted throughout June, reflecting an ongoing escalation in policy over recent months.
The center recorded 29 expulsion orders targeting employees of the Islamic Endowment Department, journalists, women, and boys.
