Israel Continues Blockade of Al-Aqsa Mosque for 34 Consecutive Days
Israeli authorities continue to enforce the closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex to Muslim worshippers. To date, this blockade has entered its 34th consecutive day.
Israel justifies the ban as a security measure related to the escalation of conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran. Alongside the closure, security forces have tightened military guards around the Holy City and entrances to Palestinian cities in the West Bank.
Amid the closure to Muslim worshippers, groups advocating for increased Jewish presence at the Temple Mount continue to voice plans to storm the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex during the Easter holidays.
These groups call for the revival of animal sacrifice rituals within the complex and demand that the holy site be reopened to them during the holidays from 2 to 9 April 2026.
The Israeli government is reportedly using a “state of emergency” as a pretext to consolidate full control over the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This policy has provoked strong reactions from Palestinian society and Jerusalem residents.
There have been widespread calls for residents to move towards checkpoints and military barricades surrounding the mosque. These actions aim to break through the siege and demand the reopening of the Al-Aqsa complex to the general public.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation states that the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque for more than 30 days constitutes an overt attack not only on Palestinians but also on all Muslims worldwide.
Reported by The Guardian, hundreds of Palestinians were seen performing prayers around the Old City on Friday morning local time (20/3), after Israeli police closed access.
Israeli forces attacked Eid al-Fitr worshippers with tear gas outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The closure of the mosque for 21 days has been criticised as a violation of the right to worship.
The closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque during the last 10 days of Ramadan 1447 H has drawn condemnation from Palestinian independence activists, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
Missile strikes hit Israeli territory, particularly around the Old City of Jerusalem. Some debris fell near the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jewish settlements; the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was also partially affected.
President-elect for the 2024-2029 period, Prabowo Subianto, emphasised that the country must achieve energy self-sufficiency. This is to anticipate the impacts of the Israel-Iran conflict.
Indonesia, according to Prabowo, desires a peaceful solution in the conflict between Israel and Iran. He believes the best way out must be found immediately.