Israeli authorities have kept the Al-Aqsa Mosque closed during Eid al-Fitr, preventing Muslim worshippers from accessing the site for the end of Ramadan in what is reported to be the first such closure since 1967.
The restrictions, introduced amid the ongoing Iran conflict, have left the compound off limits for weeks, with access to Jerusalem’s Old City tightly controlled since late February on security grounds.
On Friday, crowds attempting to approach the area were met with tear gas at checkpoints as Israeli forces enforced the restrictions.
A coalition of predominantly Muslim nations—including Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates—has condemned the move, calling it a “flagrant violation of international law.”
The restrictions have also raised concerns among Christian communities, as access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre remains limited ahead of key Easter events, including the Holy Fire ceremony, with uncertainty over whether worshippers will be permitted to attend.
