Israeli occupation forces have maintained a stringent closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem for the second consecutive day, escalating tensions at one of Islam’s holiest sites.

The ongoing blockade has been condemned as a deliberate attempt to assert control over the sacred compound and undermine its Islamic identity.

According to a statement from the Jerusalem Governorate, Israeli authorities have prevented worshippers from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque, denying them the right to perform prayers in its courtyards. The closure has sparked widespread outrage among Palestinians, who view the move as part of a broader campaign to restrict access to the revered site.

The situation deteriorated further on Friday evening when Israeli forces stormed the Old Prayer Hall (al-Musalla al-Qibli) within the mosque compound. Eyewitnesses reported that soldiers vandalized the interior, forcibly broke open storage lockers, and conducted an aggressive search of the premises, leaving the area in disarray.

During the raid, four mosque guards were detained by Israeli forces, further heightening tensions. The Jerusalem Governorate described the actions as a blatant violation of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa, calling for international intervention to protect the mosque and its worshippers.

The closure and raid mark a significant escalation in Israel’s measures against Al-Aqsa Mosque, a site of profound religious significance to Muslims worldwide. Palestinian officials have warned that such actions risk inflaming tensions in the occupied territories, as the international community faces growing calls to address the ongoing violations. (ILKHA)