Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, on Sunday entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem under heavy police protection, following the site’s recent reopening.
Citing the Jerusalem Governorate, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa said the incursion comes amid an ongoing escalation of violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in East Jerusalem, as well as continued restrictions on worshippers’ access to the mosque.
Such incursions by Ben-Gvir are typically carried out without prior public announcement. Israeli ministers are only permitted to enter the Al-Aqsa compound with advance approval from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The extremist minister has continued these provocations despite repeated Arab, Islamic, and international condemnations.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world’s third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area Temple Mount, claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.
Sunday’s raid comes after Israeli forces turned parts of East Jerusalem, including the Old City and Damascus Gate, into a militarized zone on Saturday, setting up checkpoints during Holy Saturday observances at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Israeli officials had previously closed the church for 40 days, citing alleged security concerns amid regional tensions.
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On Friday, thousands of Palestinian worshippers gathered at Al-Aqsa Mosque for the first Jummah prayers after a closure that lasted more than five weeks.
Israel announced Wednesday that it would reopen Al-Aqsa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in occupied East Jerusalem starting Thursday morning, allowing access for the first time in 40 days following restrictions imposed during the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Large crowds began arriving in the early morning hours, filling the mosque’s courtyards with men, women, children, and elderly worshippers in a reflection of Palestinians’ eagerness to return after a prolonged absence.
During the closure, Palestinians were barred from performing daily prayers, including five consecutive Jummah prayers on March 6, 13, 20, and 27, and April 3. Worship resumed on the sixth Friday, April 10.
Israeli authorities had closed both sites since Februray 28, citing security measures during the US-Israeli war on Iran.
They also prevented Eid al-Fitr prayers from being held at Al-Aqsa this year for the first time since Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967.
Activists have expressed deep alarm at Israel’s oppressive actions amid concerns that Tel Aviv’s regime has an agenda to destroy the Islamic holy site and replace it with a Jewish Temple.
Ben Gvir and other Zionist extremist forces have long advocated for the takeover of the site and routinely flout laws protecting the site from Israeli settler encroachment.
