Israel bars Muslims from Al-Aqsa for fourth Friday under war measures

Israeli authorities maintained their closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday, blocking Muslim worshippers from accessing the third-holiest site in Islam for the fourth straight week. Police kept the gates of the compound shut and deployed forces throughout Jerusalem’s Old City to prevent Palestinians from reaching the site. The closure, first imposed in late February following the outbreak of hostilities with Iran, has been justified by Israeli officials under Home Front Command directives banning large gatherings.

Worshippers barred from surrounding streets, churches also closed

Witnesses reported that police also prevented Palestinians from gathering for prayers in streets near the Old City walls, including Salah al-Din Street, where worshippers had attempted to pray in proximity to the closed mosque. Calls had circulated in Jerusalem urging the faithful to assemble as close as possible to Al-Aqsa due to its continued closure. In response, many have turned to smaller mosques across the city for Friday prayers. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity’s most revered sites, has also remained closed under the same emergency measures.

State of emergency extended, Eid prayers blocked

The Israeli government extended the state of emergency until mid-April on Wednesday, though officials have not clarified whether Al-Aqsa will remain shuttered for the duration. This year, authorities also prevented Eid al-Fitr prayers at the compound for the first time since Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967. The closure has drawn widespread condemnation from Arab and Muslim nations, yet Israeli authorities have refused to reverse the decision. Worshippers in East Jerusalem have described the restrictions as unjustified and politically motivated, noting that the site has remained closed since the war began on February 28 despite retaliatory Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and US interests in the region.

Türkiye condemns restrictions on holy sites

Ankara has repeatedly voiced strong condemnation of Israeli restrictions on Muslim worship at Al-Aqsa, calling the measures a violation of religious freedom and international law. Turkish officials have urged the international community to pressure Israel to reopen the site and respect the historic status quo governing Jerusalem’s holy places, warning that continued closures risk further inflaming regional tensions.