Israeli minister storms Al-Aqsa, signals seizure of Muslim holy site

Extremist Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir carried out a provocative raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Monday, entering the site with Israeli military officers under heavy police protection. The incursion—his 15th since assuming office—has intensified fears that the Israeli government is preparing to seize full control of the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount) compound. The raid coincided with Israel keeping Al-Aqsa closed to Muslim worshippers for 40 days, using the US-Israeli war on Iran as a pretext, while opening the Western Wall plaza for Jewish Passover prayers.

‘I will take their lives too’

Ben-Gvir, who has repeatedly vowed to change the status quo at the sensitive holy site, was seen entering through the Maghrebi Gate after authorities closed the roads leading to the compound. Speaking Tuesday to Channel 14 under police guard in Jerusalem, Ben-Gvir defended a newly passed law imposing the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners, calling it “the most moral law.” He declared: “We will execute them. I have taken everything from them, and I will take their lives too.” His remarks were widely interpreted as an admission of his intentions regarding Al-Aqsa.

Hamas calls for mobilization, Türkiye condemns raid

Hamas political bureau member Abdurrahman Shadid called on the Palestinian people to expand mobilization, stating: “We remain in a state of open confrontation to protect our holy sites. We must expand resistance to prevent the Judaization of Al-Aqsa.” He described the raid as part of Israel’s effort to impose de facto annexation. Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry issued a strong condemnation, stating: “We condemn in the strongest terms the raid on Al-Aqsa Mosque by an Israeli minister.” The ministry emphasized that Al-Aqsa is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims and called on the international community to ensure the site is reopened and all restrictions on worship in East Jerusalem are lifted.