Israeli Occupation Forces have been implementing suppressive measures against Palestinian in the area of Bab Al-Amud "Damascus Gate", which leads to the heart of Jerusalem's Old City. Soldiers conduct provocative body search, assault youth and detain others. Not only, some are denied access to Jerusalem for periods that reach up to 14 days.

Reportedly, Israel Police extra-judicially killed a number of unarmed civilians in the area of Bab Al-Amud. Eyewitnesses asserted that none of the killed people posed a threat at time. To take advantage of the situation, Israeli Occupation Authorities set up surveillance cameras around the Old City and deployed more soldiers in it.

In the aftermath of the latest attack, which three Palestinian youths carried out in Jerusalem, leaving a female soldier dead, Israeli Occupation Authorities escalated its measures and withdrew the visiting permits of West Bank residents to Jerusalem. Roads were closed and thorough body search was applied as a result.

Israeli Occupation Police and municipality also uprooted trees planted in the area between Bab Al-Amud and Bab Al-Sahreh to secure clearer surveillance on the area. Around eight trees were killed as a result.

This step is believed to be taken by the occupation to impose full control on Jerusalem, more specifically the Old City. A year ago, Israel Police increased the number of surveillance cameras and watchtowers set up in the area. Not only, metal detecting machines were set up on the entrances of Jerusalem Old City and its neighborhoods.

Such systematized measures come in time with detaining and arresting a large number of young Jerusalemites from the neighborhoods of Jerusalem's Old City.

This case study is part of Kan'aan Project