A large-scale enforcement operation was carried out on Monday in the Jerusalem perimeter: hundreds of Border Police officers from the Jerusalem Envelope unit raided targets in Kafr Aqab, in the city’s north, as part of an operation aimed at strengthening governance along the seam zone. The forces acted to demolish illegal structures built without permits adjacent to the separation barrier and deemed a security hazard.
During the clearing operation, clashes broke out between the security forces and local residents who disrupted the demolition work. The forces were compelled to use crowd-control measures, and according to Palestinian reports, several residents were injured and evacuated for medical treatment.
Kafr Aqab is located within Jerusalem’s municipal boundaries, but on the other side of the separation barrier. Municipal services, including enforcement against illegal construction, do not operate there regularly, and such activity requires operations accompanied by heavy security forces.
Why Was the Construction in Kafr Aqab Defined as a Threat to the Separation Barrier?
The operation focused on buildings and infrastructure established within the immediate security zone bordering the barrier. According to security officials, the illegal construction alongside the barrier effectively impaired its operation, disrupted patrol activity and enabled surveillance and shooting drills from rooftops, creating a direct security threat and allowing the potential use of anti-tank weapons or small arms fire against security forces and residents of the Jerusalem perimeter.
The Jerusalem District Police stated: “Hundreds of Border Police officers, together with officers from the special patrol units, Israel Defense Forces troops from the Binyamin Brigade and representatives of the Jerusalem Municipality, launched a large-scale enforcement operation in Kafr Aqab. Led by the Jerusalem Envelope Border Police, its purpose is to strengthen governance in the seam-zone sector, reinforce the security barrier and increase the sense of security throughout the area.”
The police further noted: “At the start of the operation, the forces opened a section of the separation wall using engineering equipment in order to allow the continuous and controlled entry of additional forces and machinery into the village area, as part of broad operational preparations to carry out enforcement activity and strengthen the barrier along the seam zone. During the operation, the forces demolished several illegal structures built near the security barrier that had damaged its integrity. In addition, clearing work was carried out along approximately 200 meters of the barrier’s route, alongside the demolition of an illegal road built nearby that had damaged security components in the area.”
The Jerusalem District Police added: “During the operation, two stolen motorcycles were seized after being located in the area, and the forces will act to return them to their owners. All of the operation’s objectives were successfully achieved, and operational activity in the area against illegal construction, damage to the security barrier and violations of sovereignty will continue.”
Which Buildings Were Demolished in Kafr Aqab and Who Was Injured in the Clashes?
According to Palestinian reports, the operation focused on the Al-Turi neighborhood of Kafr Aqab and the area around Airport Road, known locally as Shari al-Matar. The three main buildings demolished in Al-Turi were residential structures at different stages of construction. The homes belonged to members of well-known local families: a three-story building belonging to the family of Mohammed Zakaria Abu Saif, a two-story building belonging to the family of Nafez al-Jaaba, as well as structures belonging to the Abu Rmeila and Abu Sneina families.
During the security operation, clashes broke out between local residents and the forces securing the demolition work. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that a local young man was struck in the knee by a rubber bullet. He initially made his own way to a local medical center inside Kafr Aqab, where he was later collected and treated by Red Crescent ambulance teams. Local high school students on their way to their Tawjihi matriculation exams, which are currently taking place, were also affected by tear gas.
