Israeli Occupation Forces Continue To Close Al-Aqsa Mosque For 36th day

The Israeli occupation authorities continued to close the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, in the central West Bank, for the 36th consecutive day, preventing worshippers from accessing it under the pretext of a "state of emergency" and security concerns. This closure is the longest since the occupation of Jerusalem in 1967.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Saturday that the occupation authorities are exploiting this pretext to tighten their control over Al-Aqsa Mosque, at a time when popular and Jerusalemite calls are escalating to mobilize towards the nearest checkpoints and military barriers surrounding it, in an attempt to break the siege and force its reopening.

In the streets of Jerusalem, Palestinians from Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories occupied in 1948 spread out their prayer mats in the roads, streets, and alleyways, performing their prayers at the closest point they could reach, despite the restrictions and harassment.

Israeli occupation forces deployed in large numbers throughout the streets of Jerusalem, particularly in areas near the Old City walls and gates. They prevented prayers from being held opposite the walls and chased worshippers from place to place, pushing and shoving them. Meanwhile, hundreds managed to perform prayers on Salah al-Din Street, and others inside the Nablus Street bus station.

Special forces from the Israeli occupation police stormed the Nablus Street prayer area and arrested the imam after the prayer concluded.

The so-called "Temple Mount groups" are exploiting the Jewish Passover holiday, which began on April 2nd and continues until the 9th, to incite the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and call for the "sacrifice of animals" within its grounds.

Official and religious authorities warn of the dangers of the continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque, considering it a blatant violation of freedom of worship and a dangerous escalation that necessitates urgent international intervention to halt these measures.