July 2026 in the city of Jerusalem
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center – Jerusalem released its July 2026 monthly report, highlighting major Israeli violations and actions in occupied Jerusalem and nearby regions during that month.
In July, Jerusalem experienced an increase in Israeli violations, focusing on Al-Aqsa Mosque, local residents, and their properties. These included incursions and public prayers at the mosque, shootings causing martyrs and injuries, as well as arrests, deportations, demolitions, forced displacement, and land and property confiscations.
Shooting…Martyrs and Injuries
In July, the Wadi Hilweh Information Center reported the martyrdom of two Palestinians in Jerusalem and nearby areas by Israeli occupation forces, along with numerous injuries, including children, caused by shootings and raids.
• On July 5, 2026, 16-year-old Walid Nidal Abu Sneineh was shot and killed by an Israeli sniper during a raid on Qalandia refugee camp, north of Jerusalem. He was shot while on the roof of the camp's club, and his death was subsequently announced.
• On July 23, 2025, Khalil Rashad Hamed Al-Risheq, 47, from the Al-Salam neighborhood near Shu’fat refugee camp, was shot and killed by Israeli forces while walking near the Shu’fat camp checkpoint. He was married and father to four daughters and a son.
Eyewitnesses say Israeli forces shot him, causing him to bleed on the ground while preventing nearby bystanders from approaching or assisting. This delayed the paramedics' arrival. Ultimately, Israeli forces took his body.
Gunshot injuries
July 17, 2026: A young man was injured in a shooting targeting a motorcycle in Wadi al-Joz.
On July 5, 2026, two children sustained injuries to their lower extremities from live ammunition during a raid on Qalandia refugee camp.
Al-Aqsa in July: Increased ground tensions, official escalations, and the enforcement of public Jewish rituals
In July, Al-Aqsa Mosque saw a steady increase in incursions and violations, aligning with rising Israeli political and official efforts to alter the mosque's status quo. This escalation peaked on the anniversary of the so-called "Destruction of the Temple." During daily visits—excluding Fridays and Saturdays—Jewish groups held public and collective prayers and rituals in different parts of the mosque, protected by occupation police. At the same time, restrictions on Muslim worshippers’ access were further tightened.
The number of settlers who stormed Al-Aqsa during July exceeded 9,800.
Early escalation and mobilization for the "Destruction of the Temple" incursion
Signs of escalation appeared as early as mid-month, aligning with the beginning of the Hebrew month of Av. On July 15, 677 settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, marking one of the largest incursions at the start of the Hebrew month. This reflects the significant mobilization leading up to the main event commemorating the "destruction of the Temple."
This was coupled with a political and official escalation, evidenced by a conference organized by Temple Mount groups involving Israeli ministers and Knesset members. At the conference, public demands were raised to alter the status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, extend incursion timings, and permit broader Jewish prayers and rituals within the site, along with calls to limit Muslim access.
Israeli reports also disclosed a campaign organized by ministers, Knesset members, and settlers to push for a change in the status quo, permitting Jews to enter the mosque and carry out prayers and rituals during daytime.
On July 21, red graffiti featuring a religious symbol associated with Temple Mount groups appeared on a stone wall in the mosque's eastern courtyards. This occurred amid preparations for the 'destruction of the Temple' commemoration, highlighting the increasing propaganda and religious activities by these groups within the mosque and its surrounding areas.
July 23: 4,288 intruders and public rituals in most of Al-Aqsa courtyards
On July 23, marking the anniversary of the so-called "destruction of the Temple," Al-Aqsa Mosque experienced a notable increase in intrusions and violations. A total of 4,288 settlers entered the mosque under occupation police protection, representing one of the largest waves of incursions in its history.
The escalation involved not only an increase in the number of intruders but also a qualitative shift, as public Jewish religious rituals expanded within the mosque. Settler groups organized mass prayers in various areas, especially in the courtyards facing the Dome of the Rock. These activities featured dancing, singing, clapping, wailing, prostration, and religious hymns, with ministers and Knesset members taking part.
The rituals expanded to additional parts of the mosque, such as the courtyard between the Al-Qibli and Al-Marwani prayer halls, along with the eastern and western arcades. At any given time, the number of settlers inside the mosque was over a thousand, dispersed across various courtyards and pathways.
The eastern part of the mosque has consistently served as a gathering place for collective Jewish prayers. A canopy was installed, under which settlers conducted their prayers and rituals. Additionally, the Book of Lamentations, linked to the remembrance of the Temple's destruction, was read in that area.
Settlers brought religious books and pamphlets into the mosque courtyards, reading them openly. These included texts about the Temple's destruction and Jewish morning prayer prayers. They also allowed the entry and use of religious items and clothing, such as tefillin wraps and tallit (prayer shawls), during the incursions. Additionally, Israeli flags and banners linked to Temple Mount groups were raised at the mosque's gates.
Israeli ministers and Knesset members took part in incursions and collective prayers, indicating a shift towards direct political and official engagement in conducting rituals and prayers within the mosque. During his visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and while in front of the Dome of the Rock, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated that settlers "pray here" and believe they are "the owners of the place," emphasizing their goal of consolidating "full sovereignty" in Jerusalem.
Restricting Muslim access in conjunction with the raids
Alongside the incursions, prayers, and Jewish rituals, the Israeli occupation authorities increased restrictions on Muslim access to Al-Aqsa Mosque on the day marking the so-called "destruction of the Temple."
Men under 65 were not allowed to enter, and many worshippers were denied access when their IDs were checked at the mosque gates. The Hutta Gate and the Council Gate were open to worshippers, but the Chain Gate stayed closed.
In the afternoon, occupation authorities further tightened restrictions, only allowing the elderly over 70 or 80 years old to enter, as ID checks persisted. Since the morning, Israeli police had closed the King Faisal, Cotton Merchants', and Iron Gates, with groups of settlers gathering outside these gates to perform collective prayers.
The day before the so-called “destruction of the Temple,” a night march took place starting from Mamilla Square in western Jerusalem. The march proceeded through the New Gate area, Damascus Gate, Herod’s Gate, Lions’ Gate, and ended at Al-Buraq Square. Thousands of settlers gathered for prayer at the Al-Buraq Wall, outside the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and in Al-Ghazali Square. During this event, they also displayed Israeli flags and flags representing the so-called “Temple,” while singing religious songs and hymns.
Turning Al-Aqsa into a venue for rituals and personal events
Incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque have expanded beyond performing Talmudic prayers or religious rituals. Lately, there has been an increase in hosting social and personal events within its courtyards. This change indicates a shift in the nature of the violations against the mosque.
Over the past month, engagement ceremonies and wedding ring exchanges took place in the Al-Aqsa courtyards, alongside celebrations for children reaching the age of religious obligation in Jewish rituals. All these events, along with various social and celebratory rituals, occurred under the protection of occupation forces.
This development shows that settlers are expanding their efforts at Al-Aqsa Mosque, now seeking to establish practices that go beyond traditional religious rituals to include personal and social events. They aim to create a new reality within its courtyards, transforming it into an open space for diverse Jewish activities.
Land confiscation and property seizure
In July, Israeli occupation authorities persisted in their actions to take Palestinian land and property in Jerusalem. They did so by making municipal decisions to confiscate land under the guise of public use, while simultaneously settler activities targeted private Palestinian properties.
• In late July, settlers took control of the Al-Basha family property in Jerusalem's Old City after an eight-year legal dispute, resulting in the eviction of six Palestinian families. The settlers argued that the property was Jewish-owned before 1948. The legal case began in 2018 when Israeli groups and the settler organization Ateret Cohanim claimed ownership, citing a synagogue and Jewish school that existed there before 1948. Meanwhile, the Al-Basha family argued they owned the eastern part of the property, backing their claim with land deeds and documents showing it was purchased and registered in their grandfather's name in the 1940s. Despite this, Israeli courts did not accept these documents as sufficient to prevent the families' eviction.
• Settlers also took control of a yard belonging to the Sha’bani family in Silwan, covering roughly 12 dunams. They strengthened their hold by dismantling sections of the fence and wall marking the property boundaries, then building a new fence around the area.
The municipality seizes land in Al-Bustan neighborhood and confiscates land for a street
In Silwan's Al-Bustan neighborhood, joint teams from the occupation municipality, along with special forces and police, placed a decision to temporarily confiscate around 4.7 dunams of land owned by the Al-Taweel family. This land, located in an area referred to by the occupation authorities as "Al-Bustan Al-Malik" (King's Garden), was targeted under the pretext of performing cleaning and landscaping work, transforming it into a public open space. Previously, the Al-Taweel family had been compelled to demolish residential and commercial buildings on this land, including one that had been standing since 1975.
In the village of Jabal Al-Mukabber, the municipality confiscated about three dunams of land to build a street, following the demolition of three apartments by the Al-Rimawi family.
Jerusalem historical airport: An Israeli project to repurpose the site
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by Minister of Heritage Amichai Elyiahu and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, laid the cornerstone for the "Heritage Center" at the historic Jerusalem Airport in Qalandia, north of Jerusalem. The project aims to convert the airport's reception building into a tourist, cultural, and educational hub, showcasing aviation history and promoting the Israeli perspective on settlement in northern Jerusalem.
Jerusalem Airport is among Palestine's oldest airports, created during the British Mandate. It was the primary civilian airport for Jerusalem until 1967, when it was closed following occupation. The building still exists today.
This project contributes to a wider initiative to transform historical landmarks in Jerusalem, aligning them with the Israeli narrative and emphasizing their significance within Palestinian historical sites.
Ben-Gvir from Jerusalem: Continued Tightening of Tightening Ties on Prisoners and Arming of Settlers
In late July, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the main streets of Jerusalem near the Old City, amid a strong police presence and the closing of several roads.
During a press statement at the scene, Ben-Gvir confirmed his dedication to maintaining his policies on Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. He also announced plans to increase gun license issuance to settlers and to bolster the so-called "rapid response teams" in settlements. His remarks reaffirm his ongoing policies targeting Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and prisons.
Escalation of settler attacks in Jerusalem
In July, settlers carried out ongoing attacks against Palestinians and their property, mainly during the nightly Flag March and in Jerusalem neighborhoods. These included assaults on people and vehicles, closure of main roads, and attacks on Islamic cemeteries.
In one incident, armed settlers blocked the main road linking Al-Tur and Al-Sowaneh after leaving the “Beit Orot” settlement. They created an obstacle, prevented vehicles and buses from passing, threatened drivers with weapons, and threw stones at the vehicles.
From education to commerce: Sukkot continues targeting Jerusalem institutions
In July, there was an increase in attacks on Jerusalem institutions, highlighted by raids from the extremist Israeli Knesset member and head of the Knesset Education Committee, Zvi Sukkot. These raids targeted educational and commercial establishments in Jerusalem's Old City and were accompanied by public incitement calling for their closure.
In mid-month, Sukkot stormed the Islamic Orphanage High School in the Old City, vandalizing a sign with the school's name, logo, and a map of historical Palestine. He deliberately destroyed it, made statements denying the Palestinian presence, and threatened to shut down the school. Additionally, he accused the school administration of teaching the Palestinian curriculum, called on Israeli authorities to stop funding schools that adopt this curriculum, and demanded they be forced to adopt the Israeli curriculum, targeting institutions that refuse.
In a related context, Sukkot stormed “The Message Cafe” in the Bab Hutta area of the Old City and demanded its immediate closure, claiming that it belongs to an entity supported by Hamas and is used to spread activities and ideas in support of it, without providing any evidence for those claims.
Arrests
In July 2026, Israeli occupation authorities conducted nearly daily arrests in Jerusalem, targeting children, adolescents, women, the elderly, and dozens of West Bank ID holders, all under the claim of "illegal residency."
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Jerusalem reported that around 200 individuals were arrested during the month.
One of the most notable arrests involved Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories, who was detained inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Israeli forces took him into custody after he delivered the Friday sermon and led the prayer. He was detained in a room near the Islamic Museum and questioned on charges of "incitement" for referencing martyrs and prisoners during his sermon.
The occupation authorities released Sheikh Muhammad Hussein on the condition that he be prohibited from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque for one week. This action is part of a broader policy aimed at limiting the presence of religious figures and interfering with Friday sermons and events inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Demolition and displacement
In July, demolition activities persisted in Jerusalem, as recorded by the Wadi Hilweh Information Center. They documented 19 demolitions targeting residential buildings, homes, and commercial properties across neighborhoods such as Silwan, Jabal al-Mukabber, Beit Hanina, and Sur Baher.
Fourteen of these operations were performed by the owners themselves, under the "forced self-demolition" policy enforced by the occupation municipality on Jerusalem residents, who face threatened fines and charges for demolition costs if municipal crews carry out the demolitions.
Expulsions
In July 2026, occupation authorities persisted in issuing expulsion orders against Palestinians, including bans on accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City, restrictions on entering the West Bank, and prohibitions on their presence in specific streets and areas of Jerusalem.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center reported documenting 37 expulsion orders during the month, as part of a growing policy focused on limiting Palestinian movement and preventing access to Al-Aqsa Mosque, its surroundings, and public areas in Jerusalem.
