Israel Closes Al-Aqsa Mosque for 34th Day as Regional Pressure Mounts
Key Takeaways
- Al-Aqsa Mosque remains closed to worshippers during Ramadan for an extended period.
- Regional and Islamic bodies condemn ongoing closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
- Security measures include heavy deployment around the site and restricted access at gates.
Al-Aqsa Mosque Closure
Israel continued its closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque for the 34th consecutive day, unprecedented since 1967.
“Palestine Media Agency, March 3, 2026 Closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque Since the outbreak of the Israeli-American war against Iran on February 28, occupying forces have closed access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, preventing worshippers from praying there in the middle of Ramadan”
The closure was imposed under the pretext of security amid the Israel-US war on Iran.
Regional bodies condemned the closure as a provocation to the feelings of Muslims worldwide.
Israeli settler groups began performing Talmudic rituals at Al-Aqsa’s gates.
Global Muslim and Arab Reaction
The closure ignited widespread condemnation across the Muslim and Arab worlds.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the closure as a terrorist crime.
Protests erupted in multiple countries including Morocco.
Escalation of Religious and Political Tensions
Settlers performed Talmudic rituals at Al-Aqsa’s gates after more than a month of closures.
“The Israeli occupation forces continued to close the doors of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem to visitors and worshippers for the second consecutive month, amid tightened military measures at the entrances of Palestinian cities and towns in the West Bank”
Occupation bulldozers demolished Palestinian homes in Silwan.
Israeli police barred Christian worshippers from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
The prolonged closure during Ramadan became a profound religious and political crisis.
ISIS Calls for Attacks in Response
ISIS issued a call for attacks on synagogues and churches across the US and Europe.
The call directly cited Israel's closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque as justification.
The widespread publicity of the ISIS call contrasted with relative silence on the Al-Aqsa closure.
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