Al-Aqsa Mosque Closed for Eid: Tensions Rise in Jerusalem & Gaza

Hundreds of Muslim worshippers were forced to pray outside the walls of Jerusalem’s Vintage City on Friday morning as Israeli authorities maintained a closure of the al-Aqsa mosque complex, marking the first time the site has been sealed at the end of Ramadan since 1967. The unprecedented move, enacted due to security concerns linked to the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, has drawn condemnation from across the Arab world and sparked fears of escalating tensions.

Israeli authorities effectively sealed off the mosque complex on February 28, citing the demand to maintain security during the holy month of Ramadan amid heightened regional conflict. The move restricted access for most Muslim worshippers, leaving thousands to gather and pray outside the gates of the Old City. Palestinian officials and religious leaders have accused Israel of exploiting security concerns to tighten control over the al-Aqsa mosque complex, known as al-Haram al-Sharif to Muslims, and the Temple Mount to Jews.

“Tomorrow will be the saddest day for Muslim worshippers in Jerusalem,” Hazen Bulbul, a 48-year-old Jerusalem resident, told the Guardian. “What I fear is that this sets a dangerous precedent. It may be the first time, but probably not the last. Israeli interference in the holy city has been escalating since 7 October [2023].”

The closure comes amid a reported increase in arrests of Palestinian worshippers and religious staff in the Old City, alongside repeated incursions by Israeli settlers into the complex. According to reports, police have detained individuals inside the mosque precinct, even during prayer times, and restricted access for many Palestinians. The Old City, typically bustling with activity in the days leading up to Eid al-Fitr, was described as largely deserted on Friday, with most businesses shuttered except for pharmacies and essential food shops.

Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the preacher of al-Aqsa and former grand mufti of Jerusalem, issued a religious ruling urging Muslims to perform Eid prayers at the closest possible point to the mosque. However, with a heavy Israeli security presence in the Old City, and reports of Israeli forces conducting searches and confronting residents, concerns remain high that tensions could escalate into clashes.

The Arab League has condemned the closure as a “blatant violation of international law,” warning that it risks undermining freedom of worship and inflaming tensions across the region. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the League of Arab States and the African Union Commission issued a joint statement similarly condemning the closure as a “grave violation” of the historical and legal status quo, and an “assault on the established religious rights and heritage of the Islamic nation.” The statement placed full responsibility for the consequences of the closure on Israel, the occupying power.

The closure of al-Aqsa is occurring as a deepening humanitarian crisis unfolds in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Muslims are preparing to mark the end of Ramadan amid the ruins of wrecked cities. While sporadic Israeli bombardments continue, some UN convoys were allowed to enter Gaza through the Rafah border crossing on Thursday – the first time since Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran. Despite this limited access, the joy of Eid remains muted for many Gazans.

“The joy of Eid is incomplete,” said Sadeeqa Omar, a mother of two displaced from northern Gaza to Deir al-Balah. “Each of us carries our own burdens. Some have lost their homes, others have lost family members. As for me, my husband is far away and cannot return to Gaza due to the closure of the crossings. Still, we try as much as we can to follow our religious teachings, which encourage us to show joy during Eid.”

Kholoud Baba, from Gaza City, noted a relative sense of safety following a ceasefire, but added, “Just last week, an area near our home in western Gaza was evacuated in preparation for an airstrike. This happened close to the Iftar time, forcing displaced people to leave without taking anything with them.”