Original Source
Israel Closes Al-Aqsa Mosque; Palestinians Pray Outside Old City for Eid al-Fitr
Israel Closes Al-Aqsa Mosque Amid Tensions
Hundreds of Muslims gathered outside the walls of the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem for Eid al-Fitr prayers on Friday, following the closure of the al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli authorities. Israel stated that the closure was part of security measures linked to the country's escalating war with Iran. However, Palestinians view this move as part of a broader Israeli strategy to leverage security tensions to tighten restrictions and entrench control over Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site.
Palestinians Decry Restrictions on Holy Site
Palestinians described the closure as 'the saddest day for Muslim worshippers,' protesting what they perceive as an attempt by Israel to assert more control over the holy site. They argue that Israel is exploiting the current security climate to reinforce its dominance and impose further limitations on access to al-Aqsa. This incident underscores the deep religious and political sensitivities surrounding the site in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
*Source: YouTube: Guardian News (2026-03-20)*
