Occupied Jerusalem: Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday evening under heavy Israeli police protection. The report said Ben-Gvir performed Jewish prayers and religious rituals in the eastern section of the compound. The incident came amid an increase in visits by Jewish settlers to the Al-Aqsa compound during the Jewish holiday season, raising fresh concerns among Palestinian officials over the status quo at the holy site.
According to the report, around 676 Jewish settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday morning under the protection of Israeli police and special forces. Some of them reportedly performed Jewish prayers and rituals inside the courtyards. Earlier, groups of settlers had also gathered near Bab al-Rahma, along the eastern wall of the compound, to perform prayers known as “Selichot” ahead of Yom Kippur.
The developments come during a particularly sensitive period in Jerusalem. The Jewish holiday season began with Rosh Hashanah on September 12-13, followed by Yom Kippur on September 21. Sukkot will be observed from September 26 to October 2, followed by Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah on October 3. Palestinian officials say the number of Jewish settlers entering the Al-Aqsa compound generally increases during these holidays, along with the performance of Jewish prayers and rituals. According to figures cited by the Jerusalem Governorate, approximately 40,661 Jewish settlers entered the Al-Aqsa compound between January and the end of August 2026, including 5,209 in August alone.
The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs condemned Ben-Gvir’s entry, describing it as a violation of the sanctity of the mosque and an attempt to alter the existing historical and legal status quo. The ministry called on the international community, human rights organisations and Arab and Muslim countries to pressure Israeli authorities to halt such actions. It reiterated its position that the entire 144-dunum Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is exclusively a Muslim place of worship and should not be divided or shared.
Ben-Gvir’s visit coincided with other increased Israeli religious activity in occupied Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Western Wall area on Saturday evening along with several government ministers and thousands of Israelis ahead of Yom Kippur. The visit came as Jewish religious groups called for increased gatherings and prayers around the Al-Aqsa compound during the holiday period.
Sunday’s visit was not Ben-Gvir’s first entry into the Al-Aqsa compound this year. On August 31, he reportedly entered the compound and performed prayers and Jewish religious rituals in its eastern section alongside other settlers under police protection. His repeated visits have drawn strong criticism from Palestinian authorities, who argue that such actions could contribute to changes in the long-standing arrangements governing the holy site. The latest developments have once again placed Al-Aqsa Mosque at the centre of tensions in Jerusalem. Palestinian officials fear that repeated incursions and religious rituals could gradually change the existing status quo at one of the most sensitive religious sites in the region.