Israeli authorities barred Palestinian worshippers from accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday as Muslims marked Eid al-Fitr.
According to Israeli officials, the barring was linked to security concerns amid the ongoing regional conflict.
Israeli forces sealed off the mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem for a second consecutive week, preventing thousands from attending prayers at one of Islam’s holiest sites.
Multiple media outlets reported that this marked the first time since 1967 that the site had been completely closed for Eid prayers.
Police set up barricades around the Old City, forcing many worshippers to pray in surrounding streets.
Some local reports said security forces used tear gas to disperse crowds attempting to gather near the compound.
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| Israeli forces apparently use stun grenades to prevent Palestinians from entering the Old City. Photograph: Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Getty Images (The Guardian) |
The restrictions were imposed as Israel cited heightened security risks linked to its ongoing confrontation with Iran. Authorities have not provided detailed public evidence supporting the specific measures at the site.
The closure drew condemnation from regional officials. Jordan’s foreign ministry described the move as a “flagrant violation of international law” and a breach of the long-standing status quo governing holy sites in Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Governorate also rejected the restrictions, calling them unjustified.
The developments come against a backdrop of continued tensions across Palestinian territories. In the Gaza Strip, residents marked Eid under worsening humanitarian conditions, with reports of severe shortages of food, shelter, and basic supplies.
Although a U.S.-brokered ceasefire has technically been in place since October 2025, local sources report that Israeli strikes have continued intermittently, contributing to fragile living conditions for civilians.
In the occupied West Bank, including areas near Hebron, tensions also remained high. Israeli forces reportedly arrested two Palestinians after a vehicle incident involving military units, while concerns persist over home demolitions in refugee camps such as Nur Shams.
Analysts say the restrictions at Al-Aqsa, combined with ongoing military operations and humanitarian strain, risk further inflaming tensions during a sensitive religious period.
The situation remains fluid, with no immediate indication of when access to the mosque compound will be fully restored.
