On July 23, 2026, more than 3,200 Israeli settlers and far-right groups, including Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem for Tisha B’Av, a Jewish holiday commemorating the destruction of the ancient temple. This event marked one of the largest assaults on the site this year, with numbers possibly reaching 5,000 by sunset, surpassing last year’s figures.
Palestinian officials reported that Israeli forces imposed strict entry restrictions on Palestinians, leading to clashes and barring many from accessing the mosque. Nur Odeh from Al Jazeera stated that only elderly individuals were permitted entry, with heightened scrutiny and police presence.
During the visit, some Israeli settlers engaged in Talmudic rituals, despite a long-standing agreement prohibiting non-Muslim prayers at the site. Ben Gvir claimed that Jewish visitors felt a sense of ownership of the area, which the Jerusalem governorate decried as a dangerous escalation tied to efforts to rebuild Jewish temples.
Hamas criticized the event as aggression, warning it could incite backlash. Jordan condemned Ben Gvir’s actions as a violation of the mosque’s sanctity and called for international intervention to safeguard holy sites. The participation of Likud party officials raised concerns about a political shift in support of rebuilding efforts at the location. Tensions are expected to escalate further, especially with upcoming Friday prayers anticipated to attract significant crowds.
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