According to local sources, occupation forces stormed the neighbourhood and demolished the monument, preventing villagers from approaching. They also forcefully entered Obeid’s yard and confiscated Palestinian flags, banners and a poster of him hanging in front of his house.

Occupation forces arrested Mus’ab Muhaisen after severely beating and injuring him as well as Mohammed Abu Sabeeh. They also assaulted Palestinians, throwing sound bombs and hand grenades at civilians, resulting in four people having to be transferred to a clinic for treatment. In particular, Na’im Hamdan, aged 63, was seriously injured after being hit by a hand grenade. Three others suffocated after being sprayed with pepper spray.

Earlier this week, occupation forces arrested ten Palestinian civilians in Issawiya as part of a “collective punishment campaign”, according to the Wadi Hilweh Information Centre. Forces stormed several houses, destroying doors and confiscating clothing, according to the families of the detainees.

Israel has illegally occupied East Jerusalem, where the Issawiya neighbourhood is located, since the 1967 war. In 1980, the Jewish state annexed the entire city, claiming it as its “eternal and undivided” capital, a move never recognised by the international community.

In December 2017, US President Donald Trump unilaterally declared Jerusalem Israel’s undivided capital and in May 2018 moved the US embassy to the Holy City. Since then, in contravention of international law, Tel Aviv has increased its Judaisation policies in the occupied city.

Source: Middle East Monitor