Israel completes watchtower at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem

Israeli occupation authorities have completed the construction of a watchtower checkpoint at the entrance of Damascus Gate, the main gate into the Muslim Quarter of occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.

The watchtower checkpoint is one of three that Israel began to install last month, drawing criticism from Palestinian residents of the Old City, who say the construction watchtower is aimed at further restricting Palestinian access to the area and solidifying an already constant presence of Israeli forces in the area.

A number of Palestinians have been shot and killed in the area by Israeli forces.

In addition to the police watch tower, surveillance cameras have been set up by Israel at almost every corner and street in and around the Old City to monitor all activity.

There have been calls for protests following the measure with Palestinians stressing that this another step through which Israel is Judaising the ancient city, limiting access to Muslims and Christians and forcing its rule.

The Damascus Gate entrance to the Old City, Jerusalem seen before the contruction of Israel’s watchtower checkpoint in February 2018 [Twitter / MohamdNashwan]

The newly constructed watchtower checkpoint at the Damascus Gate entrance to the Old City, Jerusalem seen on 14 February 2018 [MohamdNashwan/Twitter]

The newly constructed watchtower checkpoint at the Damascus Gate entrance to the Old City, Jerusalem seen on February 14, 2018 [Twitter / MohamdNashwan]

The newly constructed watchtower checkpoint at the Damascus Gate entrance to the Old City, Jerusalem seen on February 15, 2018 [Twitter / Qudsn]