Israel closes Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, citing Iran war, in historic break with status quo

Israeli authorities shut down Al-Aqsa Mosque on February 28, invoking the escalating conflict with Iran as justification for the unprecedented closure during the holy month of Ramadan. The move, which prevented Muslims from performing the first Tarawih prayers, represents what Palestinian officials describe as the effective suspension of the 1967 status quo governing the holy site. Throughout February, restrictions on worshippers intensified as settler presence in the mosque compound expanded dramatically under Israeli police protection.

Settler Raids and Worship Restrictions

According to a detailed report from the Jerusalem Governorate, nearly 5,000 settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa compound during February alone, while an additional 8,637 individuals entered under the guise of tourists. Israeli authorities banned the entry of iftar meals, established checkpoints before evening prayers, and on multiple days completely prevented worship. The systematic nature of these measures, documented in the governorate's report, suggests a coordinated policy rather than sporadic security responses.

Mass Arrests and Entry Bans

The crackdown extended beyond worship restrictions to mass detentions, with 114 Palestinians arrested in Jerusalem during February, including women, children, journalists, and activists. Most arrests occurred during nighttime raids conducted with overwhelming force. Simultaneously, over 400 Jerusalem residents received bans preventing them from entering Al-Aqsa and the Old City, targeting journalists, imams, and community leaders with restrictions lasting up to six months. The targeting of media figures suggests an effort to suppress documentation of events at the holy site.

Systematic Annexation Policy

The Jerusalem Governorate's report contextualizes these actions within a broader Israeli strategy, stating: "What is happening in Jerusalem is not isolated security measures but an official and systematic policy aimed at displacing Palestinians and altering the city's religious and demographic character." During the same period, settler groups openly performed Talmudic rituals in the mosque courtyard under police protection, further inflaming tensions during an already volatile period of regional conflict.