Israel Closes Al-Aqsa Mosque for 40 Days as Ben-Gvir Leads Settler Incursions

Israel has kept the Al-Aqsa Mosque closed for 40 consecutive days under the pretext of a state of emergency and security concerns.

“Toggle Play Israeli closure of Al-Aqsa ‘selective’, ‘discriminatory’ Read more Al-Aqsa Mosque has been closed to Muslim worshippers for more than a month, as Israeli ministers and settlers continue to enter the compound under police protection”

Al Jazeera

Occupation forces imposed strict military measures and closed the gates of Jerusalem's Old City.

Al Jazeera

Jewish extremist Temple Mount groups exploited Passover to incite storming the mosque and called for animal sacrifices within its grounds.

Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir stormed the mosque courtyards while Muslims remain barred.

Police plan to reopen the site to allow settlers to resume daily incursions.

The Palestinian Authority and official religious entities warned of a blatant violation of freedom of worship.

The Al-Quds International Institution condemned the plan to divide the mosque between Muslims and Jews.

Al-Adalah wa-al-Tanmiyah

The Islamic Endowments Department is recognized as the sole competent authority to manage the mosque.

Popular and Jerusalemite calls escalated for mobilization to break the siege.

The closure came despite a two-week ceasefire agreed by the US, Israel, and Iran.

Ben-Gvir has entered the mosque about 14 times since taking office in 2023.

Jewish extremist groups have intensified incitement and calls for mass incursions.

The move threatens to deepen Palestinian alienation.