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Israeli minister raids Al-Aqsa as Türkiye, Jordan, Qatar condemn provocation

A view of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which has been kept closed to Muslims in East Jerusalem since February 28, following restrictions imposed by Israel, as seen March 27, 2026. (AA Photo)
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A view of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which has been kept closed to Muslims in East Jerusalem since February 28, following restrictions imposed by Israel, as seen March 27, 2026. (AA Photo)
April 07, 2026 12:12 PM GMT+03:00

Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir raided Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday, entering through the Mughrabi Gate on the mosque's western wall.

The site has been closed to Muslim worshippers for 38 consecutive days, prompting condemnations from Türkiye, Jordan, Palestine and Qatar.

The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Authority announced the raid, saying Ben-Gvir entered Al-Aqsa through the Mughrabi Gate on the mosque's western wall. No further details on the raid were provided.

Israeli authorities have kept Al-Aqsa closed for 38 days, citing security conditions.

Palestinians perform Friday prayer on the streets in East Jerusalem on March 27, 2026, as Israel continues to impose restrictions on Palestinians from entering the Dome of the Rock of Masjid Al-Aqsa. (AA Photo)
Palestinians perform Friday prayer on the streets in East Jerusalem on March 27, 2026, as Israel continues to impose restrictions on Palestinians from entering the Dome of the Rock of Masjid Al-Aqsa. (AA Photo)

Ben-Gvir enters Al-Aqsa through Mughrabi Gate

Since the closure, only mosque staff and Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Authority personnel have been permitted to pray inside Al-Aqsa. Other Palestinians have been observing prayers at smaller mosques elsewhere in the city.

Israeli authorities also closed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, one of the most significant religious sites in the Christian world.

Israel closed Al-Aqsa simultaneously with the launch of the U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran on Feb. 28.

The Israeli government extended its state of emergency through mid-April but did not announce whether Al-Aqsa would remain closed throughout that period.

A view of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which has been kept closed to Muslims in East Jerusalem since February 28, following restrictions imposed by Israel, March 27, 2026. (AA Photo)
A view of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which has been kept closed to Muslims in East Jerusalem since February 28, following restrictions imposed by Israel, March 27, 2026. (AA Photo)

Türkiye: Netanyahu government's violations of Al-Aqsa 'unacceptable'

The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the raid in a written statement, calling the Netanyahu government's violations and provocations targeting Al-Aqsa's historical and legal identity "unacceptable."

"We strongly condemn the raid on Al-Aqsa Mosque by an Israeli minister. The violations and provocations by the Netanyahu government targeting the historical and legal identity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is a sacred site belonging exclusively to Muslims, are unacceptable," the ministry said.

The ministry added that ensuring Al-Aqsa remains open for Muslim worship and lifting all restrictions on freedom of worship at holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem is "the shared responsibility of the international community."

Israeli policemen frisk Palestinian men against shuttered shops ahead of the weekly Muslim Friday noon prayers outside Herod’s Gate in the old city of Jerusalem, April 3, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Israeli policemen frisk Palestinian men against shuttered shops ahead of the weekly Muslim Friday noon prayers outside Herod’s Gate in the old city of Jerusalem, April 3, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Jordan and Palestine call raid an 'unacceptable provocation'

Jordan's Foreign Ministry said in a written statement that Ben-Gvir's raid and the 38-day closure of Al-Aqsa constitute a clear violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

The ministry described the raid as "an unacceptable provocation" against Al-Aqsa's sanctity and its existing historical and legal status.

Palestine's Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs condemned the raid as "open aggression" and called for urgent action to defend Al-Aqsa.

The ministry noted that Ben-Gvir's entry took place while the mosque was closed, describing it as a dangerous step against the religious and spiritual sanctity of Al-Aqsa in the absence of Muslim worshippers.

The Palestinian statement stressed that no one other than Muslims has the right to enter Al-Aqsa without permission, and called on the Islamic world to fulfill its responsibilities in defending the site.

Israeli security forces and bystanders gather at the site of an Iranian strike in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiya on April 4, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Israeli security forces and bystanders gather at the site of an Iranian strike in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiya on April 4, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Qatar: Raid carried out under Israeli police protection

Qatar's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the raid, noting it was conducted under Israeli police protection.

The ministry said the incursion constitutes a clear violation of international law and a provocation of Muslims worldwide.

Qatar said it categorically rejects any attempt targeting the religious and historical status of Al-Aqsa, and called on the international community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities regarding violations against Jerusalem and its holy sites.

April 07, 2026 12:17 PM GMT+03:00
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