Hamas decries ‘serious escalation’ in Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah

The pro-Hezbollah television network al-Mayadeen reports that Hamas has held “discussions” with Egyptian mediators over tensions in East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

Sheikh Jarrah has become a flashpoint between Israel and the Palestinians. A small group of right-wing Jewish nationalists have moved into the mostly Palestinian neighborhood, mostly through legally complex eviction cases. The prospect of further court-ordered evictions of Palestinians helped touch off the war between Israel and Hamas last May.

Tensions have risen again over the past few days. A Jewish house was firebombed, prompting far-right parliamentarian Itamar Ben-Gvir to open a makeshift “office” in protest in the neighborhood. Clashes erupted between Israelis and Palestinians in the area on Saturday night. And another Palestinian family is set to be evicted in March by a right-wing Jewish city councilmember.

“What’s happening in Sheikh Jarrah is a serious escalation that cannot pass unanswered,” Hamas tells Egypt, according to al-Mayadeen.