RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinians’ eyes are set on the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem, where 28 Jerusalemite families are facing the risk of eviction and forced displacement from their houses. Israeli settlement organizations claim to own the land where the houses were built.

On May 4, Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah faced Israeli abuses and arrests for the third night in a row, while they wait for the appeal they submitted to the Supreme Court against the decision of the Jerusalem District Court to evacuate them.

The events prompted Mohammed Deif, commander of Hamas’ armed wing, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, to release May 5 a brief statement after years of absence. He threatened Israel directly if the residents of the neighborhood are expelled or evacuated, saying, “This is our final warning. If the aggression against our people in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood does not stop immediately, we will not stand idly by and the occupation will pay a heavy price.” 

Learn More: Listen to Hana Salah's interview with Andrew Parasiliti on the situation in Gaza here.