Israeli police block Palestinians from Al‑Aqsa as thousands of right‑wing Israelis enter

Israeli police prevented Palestinian worshippers from entering the Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound on Tuesday, while more than 2,300 right‑wing Israelis were allowed to enter the site. The move came amid heightened security concerns and a broader crackdown on access to the holy site during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

According to police reports, the security forces closed the entrance for Palestinians after a surge of pro‑settlement demonstrators entered the compound. The police cited the need to maintain order and prevent clashes, a decision that has drawn criticism from Palestinian authorities and international observers who argue that the restriction violates established access rights to the mosque.

The incident adds to a series of tensions that have escalated in Jerusalem over the past weeks. While the Israeli government maintains that the restrictions are a temporary measure for safety, the event underscores the ongoing dispute over religious and political control of the Al‑Aqsa compound.