- Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir joined thousands of Jewish extremists who stormed the al-Aqsa mosque compound on Thursday, marking one of the largest incursions this year.
- The storming occurred under the protection of Israeli police forces, with Ben-Gvir escorted by armed police.
- Arab and Muslim-majority countries have condemned the storming, with a joint statement from eight nations denouncing the actions as unlawful.
- The statement from the foreign ministers described the actions as a provocative escalation that fuels hatred and obstructs peace efforts.
- The al-Aqsa mosque is considered Islam’s third-holiest site and is also known to Jews as the Temple Mount.
- Israel captured East Jerusalem in 1967 and formally annexed it in 1980, a move not recognized by the international community.
- The International Court of Justice ruled in 2024 that the occupation of Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, is illegal.
- Under the status quo, non-Muslim prayer is banned at the site, but recent actions by Ben-Gvir have eroded this agreement.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir led a significant incursion into the al-Aqsa mosque compound on Thursday, coinciding with the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av. This event saw over 4,200 Israeli settlers storm the site, raising tensions in a region already fraught with conflict.129
The storming was condemned by eight Arab and Muslim-majority countries, including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, which issued a joint statement denouncing the actions as an unlawful attempt to alter the historical and legal status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem. The statement emphasized that these provocations fuel hatred and extremism, obstructing peace efforts based on a two-state solution.561213
The Israeli police provided heavy protection for Ben-Gvir and the extremists, who engaged in provocative displays, including prayers and singing the national anthem. This act is seen as a violation of the long-standing agreement that prohibits non-Muslim prayer at the site, known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount.
Palestinian officials reported that Israeli forces imposed tight restrictions on Palestinian worshippers, barring many from entering the mosque and assaulting several individuals. The Jordanian foreign ministry called for the international community to take a firm stance against Israel's ongoing violations of Islamic and Christian sanctities in Jerusalem.
The Islamic Waqf Department reported that 3,228 Israelis entered the compound during the morning, with thousands more expected later in the day. The situation escalated as violence erupted, leading to the arrest of 16 Jewish suspects for attacking Palestinians and vandalizing a Muslim cemetery near the site.
“Over 4,200 Israeli settlers and far-right groups stormed the compound under police protection, marking one of the largest incursions this year during the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av. Palestinian officials reported tight restrictions at the mosque’s gates and assaults on worshippers.”
The Guardian
