Israeli Forces Detain Grand Mufti of Jerusalem After Friday Sermon, Ban Him from Al-Aqsa for a Week

Israeli occupation authorities detained the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, on Friday (10/7/2026) after he delivered the Friday sermon and led prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Sheikh Hussein was later released on condition of a one-week ban from entering the holy site. According to a report from the Jerusalem Governorate, Israeli forces arrested Sheikh Hussein moments after Friday prayers concluded at the mosque complex, located in occupied East Jerusalem. The governorate added that Israeli authorities eventually released the Grand Mufti, but issued an administrative order prohibiting him from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for the next seven days. The action took place as Israeli authorities continue to tighten restrictions at one of Islam’s most sacred sites. Earlier that same Friday, tens of thousands of Palestinian worshippers gathered at Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform Friday prayers. They continued to flock to the site despite Israel’s ongoing imposition of various measures restricting access to the mosque complex.