Jerusalem: Israeli police released Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Ashraf al-Awar after detaining him for several hours at his home in the Silwan neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem. According to Anadolu Agency, an official from al-Awar's office, who requested anonymity, stated that the Israeli police released him without providing a reason for the detention.

The Jerusalem Governorate, which is affiliated with the Palestinian Authority, confirmed in a statement that al-Awar was released on bail, but did not offer further details. The Israeli police have not commented on the reason for al-Awar's arrest.

Last year, Israeli authorities issued an order preventing al-Awar from entering the occupied West Bank for six months, a restriction that was later extended. The Palestinian Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs operates from Al-Ram in the occupied West Bank, while government meetings are held in Ramallah.

Since October 7, 2023, Israeli authorities have intensified restrictions on Palestinian activities in occupied East Jerusalem, affecting sporting, social, political, and economic events. Additionally, there has been an increase in settlement activity, demolitions of Palestinian homes, and settler incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, with worshippers and preachers being barred from the site.

Palestinians maintain that occupied East Jerusalem should be the capital of their future state, while Israel claims the entire city as its capital, a stance not widely accepted by the international community.