[REVISION HISTORY]

Al‑Aqsa Mosque access tensions and settler raids

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-07-31 15:57 UTC → 2026-08-02 12:32 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In June 2026 Israeli police and military entered the Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound dozens of times, sealed entrances, obstructed the call to prayer at the adjacent Haram al‑Ibrahim Mosque 84 times and began construction of a roof over the courtyard without consulting worshippers. The Palestinian Ministry of Waqf reported additional incidents, including fires at two northern West Bank mosques and a raid on Hebron’s Re’s Mosque where Israeli flags were raised. These actions were framed by Israeli officials as security measures, while Palestinian authorities appealed for international intervention to protect the holy sites. By early July, despite intensified restrictions, Palestinian organizers mobilised more than 70,000 worshippers for the Friday prayer on 27 May, deliberately assembling to demonstrate a continued presence at Al‑Aqsa. Israeli security forces conducted identity checks, turning away many young men and allowing mainly elderly worshippers to enter. The gathering highlighted the ongoing friction: Palestinians seeking to maintain visible religious activity, and Israeli authorities maintaining tighter security and limiting access. On 21 July Jerusalem’s municipal authorities warned that extremist settler groups were planning the largest coordinated entry into the compound, targeting around 5,000 settlers on 23 July, coinciding with a “Temple Destruction” anniversary and a Knesset meeting. Palestinian factions condemned the plan and called on Muslims to defend the mosque; Israeli police increased patrols and further restricted Muslim access. On 30 July thousands of Palestinians attended the congregational prayer at Al‑Aqsa despite reinforced Israeli troops around the Old City. Sheikh Sabri marked the ninth anniversary of the 2017 Bab al‑Esbat resistance, denouncing what he called “increasing violations” by Israeli authorities. The site, which had been closed after Israel cited attacks on Iran on 28 February and reopened on 9 April following a 41‑day shutdown, remains subject to tight worshipper restrictions.

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