The unprecedented number of incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque during October highlights an alarming trend of increased tensions and violence in Jerusalem.
The Israeli government's actions, including land seizures and the closure of UNRWA, indicate a systematic approach to altering the demographic and cultural landscape of the region.
The continued escalation of violence and settlement activities may lead to increased international scrutiny and condemnation of Israel's actions in Jerusalem.
The closure of UNRWA could result in a humanitarian crisis for Palestinian refugees, potentially prompting protests and unrest in the region.
In October 2023, Jerusalem witnessed a significant increase in Israeli violations, with over 10,000 extremists storming Al-Aqsa Mosque, marking a concerning trend in the ongoing conflict in the region. This month also saw the highest number of administrative detentions since the beginning of the year, with 48 orders issued against prisoners from the governorate. The escalation of violence was particularly evident on October 7, the anniversary of the Battle of 'Al-Aqsa Flood,' when Israeli forces stormed the Qalandia camp, resulting in the death of a 12-year-old boy, Hatem Ghaith.
The month was marked by a series of incursions into the mosque, especially during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, with nearly 6,000 settlers participating in the raids. On October 20 alone, 1,783 extremists entered the mosque, performing Jewish rituals and asserting claims over the site as a holy place. The occupation authorities also announced plans to construct a new headquarters near Al-Aqsa Mosque, further escalating tensions in the area.
In terms of land seizures, the Israeli authorities approved the confiscation of 64 dunams of land in Umm Tuba and additional plots in Jabal al-Mukaber and Silwan, as part of ongoing settlement expansion efforts. The Knesset also passed a law banning the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Israel, which could leave millions of Palestinian refugees without support.
