The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan (Silwanic) reported that Israeli authorities carried out 26 demolitions and abducted more than 250 Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem during April, in a month marked by intensified home demolitions, mass detentions, and escalating violations at the Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound.
In its monthly report documenting Israeli violations in the city, Silwanic said most of the demolished homes were inhabited structures that had stood for many years, noting that demolition operations were concentrated in Silwan, particularly in the al‑Bustan neighborhood, with additional demolitions recorded in Jabal al‑Mukabber, as‑Suwwana, and the Old City.
Many families were forced to carry out self‑demolitions to avoid the heavy fines and demolition fees imposed by Israeli authorities or to prevent damage to neighboring homes.
The report added that Israeli occupation forces continued daily arrest campaigns throughout April, with more than 250 Palestinians abducted, including women, elderly residents, minors, and hundreds of Palestinians holding West Bank identity cards.
Silwanic described these campaigns as systematic measures aimed at tightening Israeli control over the city and restricting Palestinian presence.
April also witnessed a marked escalation in colonizer incursions into the Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound, with a sharp rise in the number of colonizers invading the holy site under heavy police protection.
The most notable incidents included the incursion of 632 colonizers during what Israel marks as “Independence Day,” and 488 colonizers on the day the mosque was reopened following a temporary closure.
According to the center, Al‑Aqsa Mosque was subjected to a series of violations throughout the month, including public group prayers, organized singing, and dancing, particularly in the eastern area near Bab ar‑Rahma.
Colonizers also raised Israeli flags inside the compound and wore clothing displaying symbols and imagery associated with what they refer to as the “Temple.”
At the end of the month, groups advocating for “rebuilding the Temple” released expanded versions of their prayer texts for use during future incursions into the site.
Silwanic documented 95 expulsion orders issued against Palestinians from Al‑Aqsa Mosque and the Old City, with durations ranging from one week to six months.
As part of Israel’s ongoing policy of targeting religious figures and restricting their access to holy sites, Israeli police on April 17 prevented Sheikh Ekrema Sabri, the Imam and preacher of Al‑Aqsa Mosque, from entering the compound as he attempted to attend Friday prayers, despite the expiration of a nearly two‑year expulsion order.
Israeli police also summoned Sheikh Raed Salah and Sheikh Kamal al‑Khatib from Palestinian communities inside Israel for interrogation at the al‑Qishla station in Nazareth, later handing them expulsion orders for one week, with the possibility of extension for several months.
The report further noted that Israeli authorities continue to withhold the bodies of 30 slain Palestinians from Jerusalem, all of whom hold Israeli identity cards. The oldest case dates back to October 2016, and among the withheld bodies are 10 children, including Wadea’ Elian, the youngest of the group.
Silwanic concluded that these violations reflect a sustained policy aimed at tightening Israeli control over occupied Jerusalem, displacing Palestinian residents, and restricting access to religious sites.
