Israeli Authorities Block Palestinians from Al-Aqsa Mosque for Eid al-Fitr, Worshippers Pray in Streets

Israeli Authorities Block Palestinians from Al-Aqsa Mosque for Eid al-Fitr, Worshippers Pray in Streets
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Israeli authorities barred Palestinian worshippers from accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem’s Old City for Eid al-Fitr prayers on 20 March 2026, marking the first such closure since Israel seized East Jerusalem in 1967.

Police barricaded the mosque complex and surrounding gates, forcing thousands of Muslims to perform prayers outside the Old City, particularly along Salah al-Din Street, under a heavy security presence. Attempts by worshippers to approach Bab al-Zahra were met with stun grenades and tear gas, and participants were subsequently pushed further away to Saint George Street.

The closure restricted entry to registered residents only, preventing many Palestinians from visiting family during the holiday. Journalists reported large-scale disruptions, including identity checks and searches of young men, while the Old City streets, normally vibrant during Ramadan, were largely deserted.

The move comes amid heightened Israeli security measures citing the war with Iran, though Palestinians view the closure as part of a broader strategy to assert control over Al-Aqsa and the Old City. The mosque, a key symbol of Palestinian identity, has faced months of restrictions, including limited Waqf staff access and the recent arrest of its imam, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri.