JERUSALEM, Saturday, May 25, 2024 (WAFA) — Israeli occupation forces began closing several roads this evening in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem under the pretext of preparing for the celebrations of the Torch Festival of the Jewish community.

Residents of the neighborhood informed WAFA that hundreds of Israeli settlers started gathering in the designated area for the celebration of the Jewish Torch Festival, which falls on Sunday evening. They began provoking the Palestinian residents living near the expected location of the celebration.

The residents added that the occupation forces set up iron barriers and checkpoints to close off the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem to secure the settlers' celebration.

Saleh Diaab, a member of the Defense Committee for the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, stated that the occupation seized the largest two pieces of land in the neighborhood in preparation for this Jewish celebration. He mentioned that this event involves significant harassment of the local Palestinian population, dumping waste on their homes, and assaulting locals in an attempt to force them out of the neighborhood, which is under the threat of displacement.

Diaab explained that an estimated 100,000 settlers are expected to break into the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in the next two days to participate in this celebration, causing major traffic jams. He expressed concern about the settlers' potential invasion of homes and attacks on residents.

Meanwhile, Israeli occupation police distributed statements to the residents of the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, urging them to refrain from parking their cars in the neighborhood during the hours of the Jewish holiday festivities.

M.N