LONDON: Israeli authorities continued to close the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the walled city of occupied East Jerusalem for the 11th day on Tuesday, as the country announced a state of emergency due to its conflict with Iran.
Palestinians were barred from performing prayers at the sites, including those related to Ramadan, which has now entered its last 10 days. The Palestinian Authority warned that this closure marks the first time since 1967 that Taraweeh prayers and Itikaf (seclusion for worship) have been denied inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The Jerusalem Governorate has also warned of a dangerous escalation in incitement led by extremist groups concerning the Al-Aqsa Mosque, amid ongoing closure measures, according to Wafa news agency.
It added: “What is happening cannot be considered temporary security measures … but rather falls within a political and ideological agenda aimed at altering the existing religious, historical, and legal status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.”
Israeli authorities shut down Al-Aqsa in June 2025 during 12 days of conflict with Iran.
Israel and the US have been carrying out multiple airstrikes inside Iran since the end of February. These strikes have led to the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader, along with other senior officials. In response, Iran launched missiles into Israel and several regional countries.
