- Israel bans Al-Aqsa entry for Palestinians in Jerusalem
- Al-Aqsa Mosque restrictions tighten before Ramzan
Barely two weeks ahead of Ramzan, Israeli authorities have reportedly banned several Palestinians in Jerusalem from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Palestinians are said to be receiving WhatsApp messages from Israeli intelligence informing them of the restrictions. The reported move has raised concerns as the holy month approaches and access to Al-Aqsa Mosque remains a sensitive issue.
According to the media, Israeli occupation authorities on February 5 handed new orders to Palestinian Jerusalemites barring them from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The agency cited the Wadi Hilweh Information Centre, which said the bans were issued to specific individuals in Jerusalem. These included three former detainees from the Al-Issawiya neighbourhood, a Jerusalem Sharia judge identified as Iyad Al-Abbasi, and two other Palestinian men.
The report said the bans usually last for one week at a time. However, authorities can renew them for several months. Meanwhile, Palestinians are reportedly summoned or arrested and later released with restrictions. These restrictions often include bans from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The agency said this pattern is being viewed as a systematic policy. It is seen as an effort to empty the mosque of visitors, guards, and staff ahead of Ramadan.
Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza on October 7, 2023, Israeli authorities have also imposed strict measures on Palestinian access from the West Bank to East Jerusalem. These limits have affected movement during key religious periods. Therefore, access to Al-Aqsa Mosque has become more restricted over time.
Based on restrictions enforced in 2024 and 2025, Israel has implemented strict measures at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramzan. These measures have included age limits, with entry allowed for men over 55 and women over 50. Authorities have also required mandatory security permits. In addition, they have capped weekly entry numbers for Palestinians from the West Bank. These steps have shaped access to the mosque during Ramzan in recent years and continue to draw attention amid the latest reported bans.
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