Ammon News - Israeli occupation authorities continue to close the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the 39th consecutive day, under the pretext of a “state of emergency” and security concerns.

During the closure, occupation forces impose strict military measures around the Al-Aqsa Mosque and close the gates of Jerusalem’s Old City, amid a marked escalation of tensions. This comes after the extremist Israeli National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Monday evening through the Mughrabi Gate, under heavy guard by occupation forces.

This incursion comes amid escalating calls from colonists groups to intensify incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, and is part of a series of incursions carried out by the extremist Ben-Gvir. He has stormed the mosque approximately 14 times since assuming his post in 2023, as part of an escalating policy toward the mosque.

The Israeli occupation authorities are exploiting this pretext to consolidate their control over Al-Aqsa Mosque, at a time when popular and Jerusalemite calls are escalating to mobilize towards the nearest military checkpoints and barriers surrounding it, in an attempt to break the siege imposed on it and force its reopening.

The so-called "Temple Mount groups" are exploiting the period of the Jewish Passover holiday, which began on April 2 and continues until the 9th, to incite the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and call for the "sacrifice of animals" within its walls.

Official and religious bodies are warning of the danger of the continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque, considering it a blatant violation of freedom of worship and a dangerous escalation that necessitates urgent international intervention to halt these measures.

WAFA