Hamas slams 'Israel' over new Jerusalem permit policy

Hamas on Saturday condemned 'Israel’s' latest measure of issuing restricted permits to residents of enclave towns west of Jerusalem, including Al-Khalayleh, Al-Aqsa, and Nabi Samwil, calling it a step toward isolating the city and consolidating full control.

Haroun Nasser Al-Din, a member of Hamas’ Political Bureau and head of its Jerusalem Affairs Office, said the new permits, which limit holders to entering 'Israel' only for specific locations and purposes, represent a practical implementation of the occupation’s efforts to fragment Jerusalem.

“This decision clearly shows that the occupation considers these areas as Israeli territory,” Nasser Al-Din said, describing the policy as an effective annexation and a dangerous move toward entrenching apartheid measures and displacing Palestinians in Jerusalem.

The Hamas official added that the permit policy is part of a wider pattern of daily violations in occupied Jerusalem, including repeated raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque, house demolitions, arrests of youth, and restrictions on the movement of residents. These measures, he argued, aim to empty the city of its original inhabitants and impose a new settlement reality.

Hamas emphasized that the Palestinian people will not yield to these policies and held 'Israel' fully responsible for the consequences. The movement also called on Palestinians and international actors to take urgent steps to stop what it described as “annexation and displacement crimes” and to protect Palestinian rights and holy sites.