Jerusalem, February 2, 2026 (WAFA) – The Jerusalem Governorate stated that (4397) settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and that there were (103) arrests and (86) demolition and bulldozing operations during the month of January 2026 .
The Jerusalem Governorate , in a statement issued on Monday, documented the systematic violations of the Israeli occupation in the governorate during January 2026. The violations were topped by the escalating attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, accompanied by attempts to impose a new reality and undermine the existing historical and legal status, followed by the continuation of demolition and bulldozing operations, the recording of injuries among citizens, in addition to arbitrary arrests, actual and house arrest orders, and forced deportation orders, as well as proceeding with colonial plans aimed at Judaizing the city .
Crimes and violations at the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque :
January 2026 witnessed a qualitative and systematic escalation in Israeli violations against the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The Jerusalem Governorate recorded the storming of the mosque’s courtyards by 4,397 settlers, in addition to 7,868 others who entered under the guise of so-called “tourism.” These incursions were accompanied by dangerous official measures, including the storming of the mosque by the extremist minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the distribution of Jewish prayer papers, the performance of dances and what is called “epic prostration,” and recommendations from the Knesset to restrict the access of worshippers during the upcoming month of Ramadan. This constitutes a direct violation of the existing historical and legal status quo and a blatant attempt to impose the occupation’s sovereignty over the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound .
Injuries :
During January 2026, the Jerusalem Governorate recorded a total of 31 injuries, including those caused by live and rubber-coated bullets, physical assaults, and burns from tear gas canisters. The injuries were concentrated among workers, particularly in the town of Al-Ram and the area surrounding the separation wall, where 13 injuries were recorded as a result of direct gunfire or falls while attempting to cross the wall. Among the injured were Youssef Zawahra and his wife, who were attacked by settlers in the Khirbet al-Sidra Bedouin community near Mikhmas. These violations confirm that the extremist right-wing Israeli government is now giving free rein to its forces and settlers to carry out attacks against Jerusalemites under legal cover and military protection, in a scenario that reflects official complicity and a deliberate policy of impunity .
Colonial attacks:
Fifty-three attacks were carried out, including four attacks involving physical assault. These included raids on Palestinian lands and properties in Silwan and the Bedouin communities of Khan al-Ahmar and Mikhmas, provocative acts in the Old City, and attacks on citizens and their Islamic and Christian holy sites, including churches and mosques. These actions are part of a systematic policy implemented by settlers as an arm of the occupation forces, with direct support from the far-right Israeli government, which provides legal and political cover and encourages them to continue their actions against the Palestinian population. The violations included the seizure of depopulated homes and the establishment of new settlement outposts, the destruction of gravestones, and the setting of fire to citizens’ vehicles and homes .
Arrests :
January 2026 witnessed a significant escalation in the Israeli occupation authorities’ policy of repression and arrests against Palestinians in Jerusalem. A total of 103 Palestinians were arrested, including five children and two women, as part of a systematic campaign targeting various areas of occupied Jerusalem. These arrests were accompanied by widespread raids on homes and neighborhoods, as well as field arrests at checkpoints and on roads, with the use of excessive force and beatings. The arrests took place in several areas of Jerusalem, most notably: the town of Hizma, Shu’fat refugee camp, Anata, Silwan, Issawiya, Qalandiya refugee camp, Kafr Aqab, Beit Duqqu, and the Damascus Gate area, in addition to the vicinity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, where worshippers and young men were directly targeted .
Decisions of the occupation courts regarding detainees :
Israeli occupation courts continue to issue arbitrary rulings against Palestinians in Jerusalem, including imposing severe restrictions on movement, exorbitant fines that burden families, forced house arrest, deportation orders, and travel bans. These courts also continue to extend arbitrary administrative detention without specific charges, in some cases for extended periods, a blatant violation of human rights and fundamental principles of due process .
Actual imprisonment :
The Jerusalem Governorate monitored the issuance of (29) rulings and decisions against Jerusalemite prisoners, including (19) administrative detentions, as part of the continuation of the Israeli occupation’s repressive policy against them. The orders included repeated renewals for a number of prisoners for the second, third and even fourth time consecutively, without directing clear charges, while (10) actual prison sentences were issued, ranging from four months to six years, and some of them were accompanied by financial fines that reached 5000 shekels, including minors, women and those stationed at Al-Aqsa Mosque, in a clear continuation of the policy of repression and terrorism wrapped in laws and legislation against Jerusalemites .
Home confinement :
During January 2026, the Israeli occupation authorities continued their policy of forcibly depriving Palestinians in Jerusalem, particularly journalists, youth, and activists, of their liberty through house arrest, using it as a punitive measure instead of direct detention. The Jerusalem Governorate recorded four house arrest orders during this month, a move aimed at restricting their civic and media activities and silencing their voices .
Deportation decisions :
The governorate recorded 100 deportation orders this month, including 95 orders barring entry to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. It should be noted that the actual number of deportation orders may be higher than documented, given the deliberate imposition of strict restrictions by the occupation authorities on those deported. These restrictions include threats to renew deportation orders if they make any statements to the media or speak publicly about the circumstances of their deportation, making accurate counting and documentation difficult. It was also observed that the occupation authorities resorted to notifying deportees of some orders via text messages on WhatsApp .
Travel bans :
During January 2026, the Israeli occupation authorities continued to use travel bans as an arbitrary punitive tool against Jerusalemites, targeting religious and national figures and released prisoners, most notably Sheikh Akrama Sabri, the preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the released prisoner Yaqoub Abu Asab and his wife, in the context of a continuous targeting that includes deportation, prosecution and control over the movement of Jerusalemites .
Demolition, bulldozing, and property seizure operations :
The Jerusalem Governorate documented 86 demolition and land-clearing operations, including 5 forced self-demolitions in which Jerusalem residents were compelled to demolish their own homes, 79 demolitions carried out by Israeli bulldozers, and 2 land-clearing operations targeting agricultural land. Data indicates that 70 of these demolitions occurred in the Airport neighborhood as part of what the Israeli authorities termed “Operation Jerusalem Shield,” one of the largest mass demolition campaigns in the area .
Demolition, forced eviction, and land seizure decisions :
During this month, the Jerusalem Governorate documented the issuance of (62) notices, distributed between (44) eviction orders, (14) demolition orders, and (4) seizure orders, reflecting a serious and remarkable escalation in the pace of forced evictions, especially in the Batn al-Hawa neighborhood in the town of Silwan, which constituted the most prominent target for the benefit of colonial associations, foremost among them the “Ateret Cohanim” association.
Targeting national and religious figures :
The Jerusalem Governorate witnessed the continuation of the occupation’s systematic policy of targeting Palestinian religious and national leaders through arbitrary bans, deportations, restrictions, and judicial and administrative harassment, in an attempt to stifle Jerusalemite discourse and isolate influential figures. The occupation authorities continued to harass Jerusalem Governor Adnan Ghaith, postponing his trial twice last month on charges of violating previously issued military orders against him. Meanwhile, the occupation prime minister issued a decision extending the travel ban on Al-Aqsa Mosque preacher Sheikh Ekrima Sabri until May 22, 2026, and barred Jerusalem Affairs Minister Ashraf Al-Awar from entering the West Bank for six months, as part of a comprehensive policy of attrition and legal repression against national and religious figures .
Crimes and violations against Jerusalem institutions and landmarks:
The governorate has witnessed a dangerous escalation in systematic Israeli attacks targeting religious sites, educational and cultural institutions, health centers, and media outlets. This is part of a comprehensive policy aimed at emptying the city of its national institutions, undermining the resilience of Jerusalemite society, and imposing a reality of coercion that serves Judaization and annexation projects. These attacks are characterized by the coordinated efforts of the occupation authorities and settler organizations, in an attempt to tighten their control over public spaces and seize the vital role of Palestinian institutions in Jerusalem .
The violations ranged from attacks on cemeteries and holy sites, to the closure of UN institutions, the storming of cultural and artistic centers, and restrictions on the educational process, in addition to targeting journalists and media outlets, and imposing racist legislation that affects the essence of the right to education and work, reflecting the occupation’s shift from a policy of field restrictions to a systematic attack on the institutional and legal structure of Palestinians in the city .
Colonial projects :
Based on daily monitoring of official announcements issued by the occupation municipality in Jerusalem, in addition to what was documented by the Orient House Center, the governorate documented a total of (20) colonial plans during the month .
The data showed that among these plans, (7) plans were deposited, which include the construction of (571) settlement units on a total area of 86.79 dunams, while (3) settlement plans were approved, which include the construction of (807) settlement units on an area of 37,722 dunams, in addition to putting two plans out to tender that include the construction of (3751) settlement units .
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Y.N/ M.L
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