Israeli Occupation Closes Al-Aqsa Mosque for 36th Day, Bars Worshippers

Israeli occupation authorities continued to close the Al-Aqsa Mosque for the 36th consecutive day.

“Eight countries, including Türkiye, strongly condemned Monday the Israeli restrictions on religious worship in Jerusalem, warning that the maintenance of these measures threatens both freedom of religion and regional stability”

Anadolu Ajansı

This marks the longest closure since Jerusalem was occupied in 1967.

Anadolu Ajansı

For the ninth time since 1967, the mosque was shuttered on a Friday.

Palestinians performed prayers at the nearest point they could reach despite restrictions.

Palestinians prayed on roads, sidewalks, and alleys at the closest points they could reach.

Israeli forces prevented prayers opposite the Old City walls and chased worshippers.

Jordan News

Hundreds managed to perform prayers on Salah al-Din Street.

Special police units raided a prayer gathering and detained the imam.

Temple Mount groups exploited Passover to incite storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“Creating new perspectives since 2009 April 3, 2026 at 4:52 pm Palestinians barred from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque due to restrictions imposed by Israeli forces citing Iran’s retaliatory attacks perform Friday prayers on the streets surrounding the mosque in Jerusalem on April 03, 2026”

Middle East Monitor

They called for the sacrifice of animals within its grounds.

Official authorities warned of the dangers of continued closure.

The state of emergency is wrongly applied to occupied Jerusalem.

The closure breaches the internationally recognized status quo governing sacred sites.

Qatar news agency

The move is seen as part of a broader strategy to tighten Israeli control.