Thousands of Palestinian worshippers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday morning, marking the end of a 40-day closure imposed by Israeli authorities. Video evidence verified by Al Jazeera showed crowds streaming through the gates at dawn to attend the first morning prayers allowed at the site since February 28.
The Islamic Waqf Department, the Jordanian-affiliated authority tasked with managing the mosque, confirmed the reopening earlier this morning. Volunteers and caretakers were seen preparing the courtyards and prayer halls throughout the night to accommodate the return of the faithful.
Israeli police stated that the decision to reopen the mosque, along with the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, followed "updated instructions" from the Israeli Home Front Command. Despite the reopening, authorities maintained a heavy security presence. Hundreds of police officers and border guards were deployed across the Old City’s alleys and along the routes leading to the holy sites to monitor the influx of visitors.
Regional tensions continue to impact access
The closure, which spanned the duration of the recent regional conflict, severely disrupted religious observances for Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Restrictions imposed by Israel led to the cancellation of Eid al-Fitr prayers at Al-Aqsa, an unprecedented move since the occupation of East Jerusalem began in 1967. The lifting of the ban arrives just days before Orthodox Easter, which is celebrated this Sunday.
While access to the holy sites has been restored, the broader security situation in the occupied West Bank remains volatile. Israeli military operations continue in various districts, with local reports detailing raids in Nablus, Ya’bad, Qusra, and Awarta.
The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli forces detained a woman and assaulted a man during a raid in Nablus early Thursday. In a separate incident near the village of Tayasir, the Palestinian health ministry confirmed that 28-year-old Alaa Khaled Mohammed Sbeih was shot and killed by Israeli forces Wednesday night. The Israeli military claimed an off-duty soldier opened fire after the man allegedly threw stones.
Data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicates that the frequency of these military operations has remained high. Since the beginning of 2023, more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank, while at least 10,000 individuals have been forcibly displaced.
