Lockdown in East Jerusalem: Harsh Policies Come Amid Intensifying Violence

East Jerusalem is in lockdown as of Wednesday after the Israeli military erected checkpoints around the occupied territory as the repression of Palestinian protesters took a severe turn.

According to reports, a 14-year-old Palestinian boy was shot dead early Wednesday by Israeli forces at the city’s Damascus Gate after allegedly wielding a knife. Locals told reporters that 12 Palestinian students were also detained by military after early morning raids in two East Jerusalem neighborhoods.

Ma’an News Agency, quoting local official Muhammad Abu al-Hummus, reports, “the forces were issuing citations to Palestinian drivers at random. Israeli security also inspected several Palestinian youths and students in ‘humiliating’ ways, forcing them to take off their clothes.”

The teenager’s shooting death brings the total number of Palestinians killed since October 1 to 31, with an estimated 17 shot dead at demonstrations. At least seven Israelis have also been killed in the same time period.

The widespread crackdown was initiated by the government’s security cabinet, which agreed to a suite of punitive measures early Wednesday following a handful of attacks against Israeli citizens.

A statement issued by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli police are now authorized to “impose a closure on, or to surround, centers of friction and incitement in Jerusalem, in accordance with security considerations.”

The statement also said that a so-called terrorist’s house that has been demolished will not be rebuilt, and that the permanent residency rights of the individual will be revoked and their property confiscated. Further, military units will be deployed to reinforce police in cities and on main routes, and 300 security guards will be recruited to secure public transportation in the capital.

Israeli forces have also been deployed in and around Jerusalem’s Old City, Ma’an notes.