The settlement organization "Elad" announced on its official page the start of Judaization excavations in the land of Birkat al-Hamra, which was forcibly seized this morning, Tuesday, in Silwan, south of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Jerusalemite researcher Radwan Amro said that the land is of strategic importance (religiously, geographically, historically and archaeologically) with an area of 5 dunams, and the settlers claim to have explored the “Hezekiah” Pool from the eighth century BC.

Amr pointed to the accusations against the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem, accusing it of collusion in leaking the land during the holiday season.

Regarding the importance of the land, the Jerusalemite researcher said that the Hamra land was part of the water system of the historic Silwan Spring, and was originally two great pools to collect the water of the spring and Al-Aqsa to serve the residents of ancient Jerusalem.

Amr linked the land to the traces of some prophets, saying, “The land has a connection to the miracles of healing that the Prophet of God, Jesus, peace be upon him, performed near Ain Silwan, and to the Yemeni Gate of Jerusalem through which the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, entered Jerusalem on the night of the Isra and Mi’raj, and it has a connection to the presence of the Prophet of God, Job, peace be upon him, on the southern slope of Al-Aqsa.”

He added that the land was managed by the Orthodox Church, and there was an old farming contract for a citizen from the Samreen family.