Closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque During Eid: A Historic Escalation

On March 20, 2026, Israeli authorities closed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, preventing Muslim worshippers from performing Eid al-Fitr prayers for the first time since the city's occupation in 1967. This unprecedented action was taken under the pretext of security concerns amid the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran, which began on February 28, 2026. As a result, hundreds of worshippers were forced to pray outside the Old City, marking a significant escalation in tensions surrounding one of Islam's holiest sites.

The GuardianThe National NewsFor the First Time Since 1967, Israel Prevents Mass Prayer of Palestinian Worshippers at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa MosqueMiddle East EyeDawnBarron's

The closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque is part of a broader pattern of increasing restrictions on Palestinian access to religious sites in Jerusalem. Since the onset of the conflict, Israeli authorities have implemented strict security measures, including an assembly ban that has severely limited public gatherings. The situation has been exacerbated by a rise in arrests of Palestinian worshippers and religious staff, alongside incursions by Israeli settlers into the mosque complex.

Al-Aqsa mosque closed to Eid worshippers as Israel imposes security lockdown on East JerusalemThe National NewsMiddle East EyeThe GuardianFor the First Time Since 1967, Israel Prevents Mass Prayer of Palestinian Worshippers at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa MosqueIsrael bans Eid prayers at Al-Aqsa amid war, restrictions tighten in Jerusalem

The Jerusalem Governorate condemned the closure, labeling it a "serious and unprecedented escalation" and a violation of religious freedom. They emphasized that the authority to manage the mosque lies with the Islamic Waqf Department, not the Israeli government. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League also issued statements condemning the closure, asserting that it undermines the historical and legal status of holy sites in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem Governorate: Continued Closure of "Al-Aqsa" and Prevention of Eid Prayer in Its Courtyards is an Unprecedented Escalation and an Attempt to Impose Dangerous Judaization Facts

Critics, including Palestinian leaders and religious figures, have expressed outrage over the closure. Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, the mosque's preacher, issued a fatwa urging Muslims to pray as close to the mosque as possible, framing the closure as part of Israeli political agendas aimed at altering the status quo. Activists have warned that such measures could provoke further violence and deepen the divide between Palestinians and Israeli authorities.

Middle East Eye

The atmosphere in Jerusalem during Eid was marked by sorrow and tension. Many worshippers arrived at the gates of the Old City, only to be met with barricades and a heavy police presence. Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of chaos as police used tear gas to disperse crowds attempting to gather for prayers. The emotional toll was palpable, with worshippers expressing feelings of loss and despair over the inability to access the mosque during this significant religious occasion.

Dawn

While many sources reported on the closure and its implications, there are discrepancies regarding the number of worshippers affected and the extent of police violence. Some reports indicate that only a small number of worshippers were allowed inside the mosque, while others suggest that police used force against larger crowds attempting to enter. The full impact of the closure on the local economy and community remains to be fully assessed.

Dawn

The closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque during Eid raises concerns about future access to the site, particularly as tensions remain high in the region. Palestinian leaders fear that this could set a precedent for further restrictions on religious freedoms. Calls for international intervention to protect the rights of worshippers and uphold the sanctity of holy sites are likely to intensify in the coming weeks.

Jerusalem Governorate: Continued Closure of "Al-Aqsa" and Prevention of Eid Prayer in Its Courtyards is an Unprecedented Escalation and an Attempt to Impose Dangerous Judaization Facts

• “Today, Al-Aqsa has been taken from us. It’s a sad and painful Ramazan,” — Wajdi Mohammed Shweiki, Palestinian Worshipper

Dawn

• “in the context of a systematic policy aimed at imposing new facts and isolating the Al Aqsa Mosque from its Palestinian and Islamic surroundings” — Jerusalem Governorate Statement

The National News

• “Ramazan without the Al-Aqsa Mosque is a very sad feeling, a feeling of having a broken heart,” — Zeyad Mona, Palestinian Worshipper

Dawn

The closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque during Eid al-Fitr represents a critical moment in the ongoing conflict, highlighting the intersection of religious rights and political tensions in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem Governorate: Continued Closure of "Al-Aqsa" and Prevention of Eid Prayer in Its Courtyards is an Unprecedented Escalation and an Attempt to Impose Dangerous Judaization FactsFor the First Time in 59 Years. . Al-Aqsa Mosque Without Eid Al-Fitr PrayerMiddle East EyeFor the First Time Since 1967, Israel Prevents Mass Prayer of Palestinian Worshippers at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa MosqueBarron'sThe National News