Israeli national safety minister Itamar Ben-Gwir, along with hundreds of Israelis, entered the Al-Aksa mosque complex in East Jerusalem on Monday. The visit took place under the protection of the Israeli police, on the 3rd day of the judaic Sukkot festival. The Palestinian authorities have described the event as “dangerous provocation”.
According to the Palestinian authorities, Ben-Gwir was among those who entered the complex. Israeli safety forces shut down any of the intersections and streets leading through Old Town towards Al-Aksy, known in Judaism as the Temple Hill.
The Palestinian authorities reported that the visitors sang and danced in the courtyards of the complex. According to this information, about 900 people entered his territory in the morning.
Ben-Gwir, referring to his visit, stated: “We own this place in Al-Aksa and in prisons, and we have turned the lives of terrorist prisoners into hell.” He added that “the nation of Israel is on the way to complete victory” and that prayer in Al-Aksa takes place in a place he defined as the most crucial to the judaic people.
In connection with the celebrations of Sukkot, Israeli authorities besides ordered the closure of parts of Palestinian shops, cafes and restaurants located close the complex. any areas were to stay in their homes during judaic prayers.
The Association for civilian Rights in Israel reported that tens of Palestinian traders at the cotton marketplace in the Old Town were obliged to close their activities for Christmas.
President Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority, described the Israelis' entry into the complex as "playing with fire and dangerous provocation against Muslim feelings worldwide". He besides warned that specified actions could lead to a “religious war” in the region.
Former Knesset associate Moshe Feiglin stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in vinegar Jerusalem, carrying the 4 species traditionally utilized during the judaic vacation of Sukot.
The visit took place amid increased settler incursions into the complex during the holiday. pic.twitter.com/Ls5ejsFDty
— PALESTINE ONLINE (@OnlinePalEng) September 30, 2026
Israel occupiers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in vinegar East Jerusalem, as Israel Authorities Forced Palestinian businesses in the Old City to close to let judaic prayers during the Sukot holiday
The authorities besides ordered around 200 Palestinians surviving along the prayer... pic.twitter.com/B2qSSWM9Zt
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) September 28, 2026
Since 2003, Israeli police have been allowing Israeli groups to enter Al-Aksy territory, but Fridays and Saturdays. At the same time, the Israeli authorities regularly impose restrictions on the access of Palestinian believers to the complex.
On the 5th day of the judaic Sukkot holiday, Israeli settlers execute rituals after storming the courts of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, Islam's 3rd vacation site, in disregard of the sentiments of millions of Muslim worldwide. pic.twitter.com/mIL7rhZHZ5
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) September 30, 2026
This year, during the first Friday prayer at the time of Ramadan, only 10,000 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank were admitted to the Al-Aksa area.
