During May 2025, the Jerusalem Governorate observed a serious escalation in Israeli violations against Jerusalemites. These violations focused on arrests and de facto detention orders, in addition to demolitions, evictions, forced deportations, and house arrests.
The blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque also witnessed intensive daily raids, particularly on the anniversary of the so-called "Jerusalem Unification Day," as the occupation forces intensified their arbitrary measures against Jerusalemites and prevented many citizens from entering the mosque.
Dead:
The boy, Muhammad Nidal Abu Labdeh (17 years old), was martyred on the threshold of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, and his body was detained.
Fouad Muhammad Alian (30 years old) from the village of Beit Safafa in the Katamon area west of occupied Jerusalem was also killed after settlers attacked him and his cousin while they were in a public park.
File of detained bodies:
The occupation forces have detained the body of the martyred young man, Muhammad Nidal Abu Libdeh, adding him to the list of Jerusalemite martyrs whose bodies are being held by the occupation authorities.
With this new detention, the number of Jerusalemite bodies held in Israeli refrigerators and numbered cemeteries until the end of March 2025 has risen to 47, a continuation of the punitive policy pursued by the occupation authorities against the families of martyrs.
Colonists' attacks:
Settlers carried out 46 attacks against Palestinian citizens, their property, and holy sites, amid a marked escalation in the pace of attacks, all of which occurred under the protection of Israeli occupation forces.
The attacks included seven instances of direct physical harm, one of which resulted in the martyrdom of young Fuad Muhammad Alian, reflecting the seriousness of the security and humanitarian situation in the city.
These attacks are part of a systematic policy aimed at oppressing the Palestinian population and forcibly changing the demographic makeup of the Holy City, amid warnings of an escalation in violence against the population.
Injuries:
About (17) injuries were recorded as a result of shooting and severe beatings, in addition to cases of suffocation from gas, including (6) injuries as a result of the settlers’ attacks.
Crimes and violations in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque:
During May 2025, the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque witnessed an unprecedented Israeli escalation, in flagrant violation of the historical and legal status quo and a blatant violation of international law and UNESCO resolutions affirming that Al-Aqsa Mosque is a purely Islamic place of worship.
6,767 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the occupation forces, in addition to (5,611) others under the guise of "tourism". The settlers carried out provocative tours and performed Talmudic rituals in various areas of Al-Aqsa Mosque, in a direct violation of the sanctity of the holy place.
During the so-called “Jerusalem Unification Day” of 2025, which fell on May 26, the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque witnessed a dangerous escalation in the pace of violations and incursions, with a significant increase compared to previous years, as (2,118) settlers stormed the mosque, including the extremist Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Minister of the Negev and Galilee Yitzhak Wasserlauf, and members of the Knesset from the “Likud”, “Jewish Power” and “Religious Zionism” parties.
The raids focused on Talmudic rituals performed in the Al-Aqsa compound, amid heavy protection from occupation forces, who prevented Palestinian worshippers from reaching the mosque and imposed restrictions on freedom of worship.
Arrest cases:
41 Jerusalemites were arrested, including 6 children and 4 women.
Occupation court decisions against detainees:
Israeli occupation courts impose unfair decisions on detainees, ranging from actual prison sentences to house arrest, deportation orders, and hefty fines. Some detainees have been issued travel bans by the occupation courts, and the detention of a large number of detainees has been extended for months, and even years, without clear charges being brought against them.
Actual imprisonment:
The Jerusalem Governorate recorded that Israeli courts issued 26 prison sentences against Jerusalemite prisoners during May 2025, including 19 administrative detention sentences, meaning the detainees were not charged. These sentences reflect the occupation's escalating policy of targeting detainees, which contributes to exacerbating their suffering.
House arrest:
In May 2025, the Jerusalem Governorate recorded the occupation authorities issuing seven house arrest orders.
Deportation decisions:
During May 2025, the occupation authorities issued five deportation orders, four of which included bans from the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Demolitions, bulldozing and property confiscation:
The occupation authorities continued their systematic policy of demolition and bulldozing during the month of May, carrying out 42 demolition and bulldozing operations targeting homes, facilities, barns, agricultural rooms, and other areas in the Jerusalem Governorate.
These operations included (15) cases of forced self-demolition, during which Jerusalemites were forced to demolish their homes with their own hands to avoid heavy fines, in addition to (22) demolition operations carried out by force by the occupation’s machinery, and (5) bulldozing operations targeting the lands and properties of Jerusalemites.
The occupation authorities have used flimsy pretexts, most notably "unlicensed construction," while imposing strict restrictions that make it nearly impossible for Jerusalemites to obtain building permits, leaving them facing the constant threat of forced demolition.
Demolition, forced eviction and land seizure decisions:
Demolition orders are part of the Israeli occupation's policy of displacing Palestinians from their lands in occupied Jerusalem.
The occupation authorities issue these decisions under the pretext of unlicensed construction or building violations, even though Palestinians are often denied building permits as a result of the restrictions imposed on them.
These decisions include notices demanding that residents demolish their homes within a short period of time, or the occupation bulldozers will carry out the demolition and impose heavy fines.
The occupation forces delivered 17 demolition orders in the governorate, in addition to one seizure order.
One of the most significant decisions was to deliver a demolition notice to the residents of the Al-Waad building in Wadi Qaddum, Silwan. The building comprises 12 apartments and is home to approximately 85 Jerusalemites.
Crimes and violations against Jerusalem institutions and landmarks:
During May 2025, the Jerusalem Governorate observed a clear escalation in crimes and violations committed by the occupation forces and settlers against educational and religious institutions and media outlets in occupied Jerusalem. This is part of a systematic policy aimed at suppressing Palestinian life and threatening the national and cultural presence in the city. These violations included raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque, the persecution of students, and operations of suppression, arrest, detention and interrogation, in addition to targeting press crews. This reflects a systematic targeting of Palestinian national institutions and an attempt to impose complete security and cultural control over the city.
Colonial projects:
Through daily monitoring of official announcements issued by the Civil Administration and the Israeli municipality in Jerusalem, in addition to what was reported by the Arab Studies Society - Orient House, the Jerusalem Governorate monitored 19 colonial plans during the month of May 2025, distributed as follows: 8 plans were deposited, 4 plans were approved, and one plan was put out for tender for implementation. In addition, the implementation of 5 colonial projects began, and one colonial project was opened.
Approved plans:
Plan No. 101/0921197 in the Ramot settlement: Construction of public buildings and institutions on an area of 18,998 dunams.
Plan No. 101/1011840 in the Talpiot settlement: Construction of towers containing 458 residential units, commercial areas, and public buildings on an area of 9,586 dunams.
Plan No. 242/2 in the "Kochav Ya'akov" settlement, built on the lands of the village of Kafr Aqab: construction of 627 settlement units, commercial areas, public buildings and institutions, and parks on an area of 253.91 dunams. The plan was announced for deposit on June 21, 2024.
On May 28, 2025, Yedioth Ahronoth revealed that the security cabinet had secretly approved the establishment of 22 new settlements in the West Bank, including the Atarot Ader settlement in occupied Jerusalem, two weeks earlier.
شارك برأيك
Jerusalem Governorate: Two dead, 41 arrests, and 42 demolitions and bulldozing operations last month.