Jerusalem Resident Recounts Brutal Settler Attack Near Damascus Gate

Ahmed Fouad Al-Husseini, a resident of Jerusalem, described a violent assault he endured early Tuesday morning near Damascus Gate as he was heading to work. Al-Husseini stated that a group of settlers attacked him from behind around 6 a.m. without any prior provocation. He recounted being beaten with fists and feet, falling down the steps of Damascus Gate, and continuing to be assaulted while on the ground.

Video footage circulating on social media appears to corroborate the incident, showing Al-Husseini attempting to escape while his attackers continued to strike him. The attack occurred during Sukkot celebrations, and similar assaults targeting pedestrians and shopkeepers in the Old City of Jerusalem and near Damascus Gate have been reported by the Jerusalem Governorate, who described them as recurring during Jewish holidays.

Al-Husseini noted the presence of Israeli soldiers and police in the area at the time of the attack, but observed no intervention from them. He stated that the assault began about ten meters away from an Israeli checkpoint, and no one attempted to help him until he managed to escape.

Living in the Old City for approximately 40 years, Al-Husseini mentioned experiencing previous harassment and verbal abuse from settlers but described this as the first time he had been physically assaulted. He expressed fear for his life during the attack and focused solely on escaping the assailants.