Israel Reopens Al-Aqsa Mosque After 40-Day Closure Amid Settler Incursions

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound reopened after a 40-day closure.

“The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem has reopened to Palestinian worshippers after a 40-day closure by Israel”

Al Jazeera

About 3,000 worshippers attended morning prayers.

Al Jazeera

Israeli police deployed hundreds of officers in the Old City.

The reopening came alongside the lifting of restrictions at other holy sites.

Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa compound under police protection.

Authorities extended daily windows for settler incursions by 30 minutes.

Israeli police denied entry to some worshippers and detained others.

Israeli colonists performed religious rituals and attempted animal sacrifices.

Al-Jazeera Net

Seven sacrifice attempts were recorded this year, the highest since 1967.

The Islamic Waqf warned of broader attempts to impose a new reality at Al-Aqsa.

The Chief Justice of Palestine condemned the storming of the compound.

The closure subdued religious observances during Ramadan, Lent, Passover, and Eid al-Fitr.

The reopening came in time for Orthodox Christians' Easter.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre reopened after 43 days.

The Western Wall also reopened to worshippers.

The reopening marked the resumption of worship after weeks of limitations.