Israeli authorities closed the Al-Aqsa Mosque at the start of the Israeli-American aggression against Iran last Saturday, under restrictions imposed by the occupation army that prevent gatherings during wartime, and since then worshippers have not been allowed to enter it.
The Israeli authorities kept the doors of Al-Aqsa Mosque closed, and those present inside were limited to the mosque's guards and custodians and employees of the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem, who raise the call to prayer at its appointed times and perform the prayers at their appointed times, including Friday prayers.
The Israeli measures included other religious sites in Jerusalem, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City, which is considered one of the holiest churches for Christians in the world.
Palestinians have expressed their protest against Israeli restrictions and the closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, as many Muslims around the world long to perform prayers at Al-Aqsa during the holy month.
three wounded as a result of the occupation army's violations of the ceasefire agreement
Even before the closure due to restrictions on gatherings during the war, Israeli authorities had imposed restrictions that prevented tens of thousands of worshippers from the West Bank from accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli authorities have previously closed the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the coronavirus pandemic, and also for long periods during the war on Gaza.
Israel and the United States have been waging an attack on Iran since last Saturday, which has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and security officials.
Since then, Iran has responded by launching missiles and drones mainly towards Israel, resulting in frequent sirens sounding and instructions for Israelis to take shelter for fear of them or of falling debris from intercepting them.
The war also expanded regionally on Monday to include Lebanon, with Hezbollah resuming attacks on Israeli military sites for the first time since the ceasefire agreement was signed in late 2014, bringing back a state of war on the northern front.
