Israeli violations against Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem intensified throughout August 2026, with the Jerusalem Governorate documenting killings, injuries, arrests, demolitions, land seizures, settler incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the expansion of settlement projects across the city.

According to a monthly report released by the Jerusalem Governorate, Israeli forces killed two Palestinians, injured 83 others, and arrested 114 Palestinians during August. Israeli authorities also carried out 40 demolition and land-clearing operations and issued dozens of demolition, eviction and property confiscation orders.

The report said the measures formed part of a broader campaign targeting Palestinians, Islamic and Christian holy sites, educational and civic institutions, and Palestinian land, while seeking to further alter the demographic, geographic and legal character of occupied Jerusalem.

Two Palestinians killed, 83 injured

The governorate identified the two Palestinians killed during August as Khalil Abbas Khalil al-Awar and Ahmad Khalil Abbas al-Awar.

The two succumbed to wounds sustained after Israeli occupation forces opened fire during a raid in Silwan, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque, on August 23.

According to the governorate, Israeli forces used live ammunition, stun grenades and tear gas during the incident and prevented local residents and community mediators from intervening to defuse the situation. More than five Palestinians were reportedly injured during the incident.

Overall, the governorate documented 83 injuries throughout August. Palestinians were injured by live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, beatings, vehicle-ramming incidents, burns and tear gas, while others were attacked by Israeli settlers.

The injured included six Palestinian workers attempting to enter Jerusalem.

More than 5,000 settlers enter Al-Aqsa

One of the most significant developments documented during August was the continued escalation of Israeli settler incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

The Jerusalem Governorate recorded 5,209 Jewish settlers entering the mosque compound during the month, accompanied by Israeli police protection. An additional 3,117 people entered under the category of tourism.

On August 13 alone, 751 settlers entered Al-Aqsa, making it one of the busiest days for incursions during the month.

The governorate said so-called Temple groups, rabbis and Israeli political figures continued to call for expanded settler incursions and increased Jewish rituals within the mosque compound and around its gates.

The report also documented Israeli authorities allowing Jewish prayer books to be brought into Al-Aqsa and facilitating Jewish prayers inside the compound.

114 Palestinians arrested

Israeli forces arrested 114 Palestinians across occupied Jerusalem during August, according to the governorate.

Those detained included five children and one woman, as well as former prisoners, students, academics, activists, prominent Jerusalem residents and members of Bedouin communities.

The governorate also recorded 27 prison sentences, including 24 administrative detention orders. In addition, Israeli authorities issued two house-arrest orders and six banishment orders, five of which prohibited Palestinians from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Palestinian authorities have repeatedly condemned administrative detention and restrictions on movement as measures used to exert pressure on Palestinians without ordinary judicial proceedings.

Homes demolished and Palestinian land cleared

Israeli authorities carried out 40 demolition and land-clearing operations in Jerusalem during August, according to the report.

The operations included:

• 14 self-demolitions, in which Palestinians were forced to demolish their own homes or structures;
• 23 demolitions carried out by Israeli machinery; and
• Three land-clearing operations.

The governorate additionally documented 86 notices and orders, including 78 demolition, stop-work and construction orders, three eviction orders and five property confiscation orders.

The Palestinian authorities say such measures contribute to the displacement of Palestinians and facilitate the expansion of Israeli settlements in and around occupied Jerusalem.

Palestinian institutions and holy sites targeted

The governorate also reported a series of incidents affecting religious, educational and civic institutions.

Among the incidents was an attack on the Armenian Church in Jerusalem's Old City.

The report further said Israeli Knesset member Zvi Sukkot entered Nour al-Huda School in Ras Shehadeh and placed signs calling for the school's closure.

Israeli authorities also converted an UNRWA school building in Shuafat refugee camp into a school affiliated with the Israeli Education Ministry and the Israeli-run Jerusalem municipality.

Separately, Israeli forces raided the UNRWA Qalandia Vocational Training Center in Kafr Aqab, evacuated employees and detained people present at the facility before raising the Israeli flag there.

Kafr Aqab and Qalandia subjected to military assault

The governorate said Qalandia refugee camp and Kafr Aqab came under an Israeli military assault between August 4 and 7.

During the operation, civilian and national institutions were reportedly targeted, while Israeli forces seized buildings and converted them into military positions as well as detention and interrogation centers.

The governorate characterized these measures as part of a wider effort to impose Israeli control over Palestinian areas and institutions in occupied Jerusalem.

Settlement expansion continues

At the same time, Israeli settlement activity continued to expand.

The Jerusalem Governorate documented 13 settlement plans, projects and activities during August, including zoning plans, settlement construction, the establishment of outposts, road projects and measures involving Palestinian land.

Four plans were reportedly deposited for the construction of 1,240 settlement housing units across 78.721 dunams.

Two additional settlement plans covering 108.402 dunams were approved without provisions for new housing units.

Israeli authorities also issued tenders for the construction of 1,861 settlement housing units, along with a separate tender for infrastructure work on the so-called Fabric of Life Road.

Growing pressure on occupied Jerusalem

The Jerusalem Governorate said the August figures demonstrate the expanding scale of Israeli measures affecting Palestinians across occupied Jerusalem.

The reported killings and injuries were accompanied by mass arrests, home demolitions, land-clearing operations, restrictions on religious worship, pressure on Palestinian institutions and an acceleration of settlement activity.

Taken together, the governorate said, these measures reflect an ongoing attempt to consolidate Israeli control over occupied Jerusalem while changing the city's demographic, geographic and legal character.

The continued incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque, the displacement of Palestinians and the expansion of settlements have further heightened tensions in the city, where disputes over access to and control of holy sites remain among the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (ILKHA)