Jerusalem: Israeli occupation forces have continued their closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem for the second consecutive day. The closure was described as an escalating attempt to impose control over the holy site and erase its Islamic identity.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Israeli authorities have barred worshippers from entering the mosque and performing prayers in its courtyards. This move has intensified tensions in the area, with local and international communities expressing concern over the restriction of access to such a significant religious site.
On Friday evening, Israeli forces stormed the Old Prayer Hall (al-Musalla al-Qibli) within the mosque compound. Witnesses report that soldiers vandalized the interior, broke open storage lockers, and conducted an aggressive search of the premises. The raid resulted in the detention of four mosque guards, further heightening the situation.
The continued closure and recent actions by the Israeli forces have sparked widespread condemnation and are viewed as part of a broader strategy to assert control over the site. The local community and international observers are closely monitoring the developments, calling for the immediate reopening of the mosque to worshippers.