How Jerusalem’s Old City turned into a ghost town before my eyes

Israeli paramilitary officers have closed off Damascus Gate as well as other entrances into Jerusalem's Old City since October 7, 2023. in what residents liken to a siege [Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Al Jazeera]

Occupied East Jerusalem – Within moments of arriving at Damascus Gate, one of the main entrances into the Old City of Jerusalem, I found myself surrounded by four Israeli paramilitary officers.

“What’s in your bags?” one of the officers asked as she began unzipping and rummaging through my backpack, clearly not about to wait for my answer. Another snatched my purse to look inside it.