Al-Aqsa Mosque Remains Closed for 17th Day Amid Rising Tensions in Jerusalem
Israeli security forces have maintained a closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for 17 straight days, barring Palestinians from entering or worshiping at one of Islam's holiest sites. Officials point to security risks, but critics argue the extended closure is politically motivated. This is the longest shutdown since Israel seized control of East Jerusalem and the Old City in 1967. The closure affects thousands of Palestinian worshippers during Ramadan, a period when attendance at the mosque typically surges. For the first time, key Ramadan rituals such as Taraweeh prayers and Itikaf retreats inside the mosque have been prohibited. Palestinian authorities... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 16 Mar 2026 13:12
