Itamar Ben-Gvir Visits Temple Mount Esplanade in East Jerusalem, Provoking Hamas and Jordan

Ouest-France says Israeli far-right minister of national security Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount esplanade in East Jerusalem, a visit described as a provocation by Hamas and Jordan.

“An official Jordanian source for Al Jazeera Net denied the authenticity of reports that circulated about an American proposal to Jordan that would include cancelling or ending the Jordanian role in the Al-Aqsa Mosque”

Al-Jazeera Net

The Ouest-France article says the visit came a few days after Jerusalem Day marking the reunification of the city after Israel's 1967 conquest of East Jerusalem, and it adds that no incidents marred Ben-Gvir's visit, which was escorted by police, according to the Jerusalem police spokesperson.

Al-Jazeera Net

Ouest-France reports that Ben-Gvir wrote on his Telegram account, "Jerusalem is our soul Hamas' threats will not deter us; I went to the Temple Mount.", and it says Hamas denounced his previous January visit to the site.

The Ouest-France piece also states that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has already killed nearly 200 people since January 1, including 35 during a five-day war between the Israeli army and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza from May 9 to May 13.

Ouest-France reports that Hamas condemned Ben-Gvir's visit, warning that Israel would bear responsibility for the "barbaric incursions of its ministers and its bands of settlers," and it adds that the Islamist movement wrote on Telegram that the decision confirms the magnitude of the danger threatening Al-Aqsa.

The Ouest-France article says the United States also condemned the visit, quoting U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller: "This sacred space must not be used for political purposes, and we call on all parties to respect its sacred character."

Chronique de Palestine

In a separate account, Al-Jazeera Net says an official Jordanian source denied the authenticity of reports about an American proposal to Jordan that would cancel or end Jordanian role at Al-Aqsa, adding, "No document of this kind has been submitted or shown to any official Jordanian authority."

Al-Jazeera Net further quotes the Jordanian source saying the United States and Israel "know in advance the Jordanian position on any proposal that touches the Hashemite custodianship or the existing historical and legal status at the Al-Aqsa Mosque."

Chronique de Palestine says Likud member Amit Halevi proposed dividing the Al-Aqsa Mosque between Jews and Muslims, suggesting "30% for Muslim worship and 70%, including the area where the Dome of the Rock is located, for Jewish worship and control."

“Ouest-France logo Support reliable and independent journalism that stays close to the regions”

Ouest-France

The Chronique de Palestine article argues that Halevi's plan points toward "Al-Aqsa is under attack," and it says Halevi also called to expand and facilitate Jewish access to the site and imagined that Jordan's administration of Al-Aqsa be revoked, as reported by Middle East Eye.

Al-Jazeera Net adds that Jordan insists its Hashemite custodianship is a "red line" and says it will continue defending the holy sites and preserving the existing historical and legal status in the Noble Sanctuary.

The Ouest-France article frames Ben-Gvir's visit within a contested status quo around the Temple Mount Esplanade, saying non-Muslims may visit at specific times but not pray there, and that the site is administered by Jordan while access is controlled by Israeli security forces.