According to a report by Anadolu Agency on Sunday, May 31, 2026, Israeli commandos under police protection entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, prompting Palestinian officials to criticise Israel for changing the site’s religious and historical identity.
Palestinian allegations say Israeli settlers invaded the mosque’s courtyards and performed provocative religious activities, escalating tensions in one of the region’s most sensitive holy sites.
Omar Rajoub, head of the Jerusalem Governorate’s Media Department, condemned the incident, alleging that Israel’s far-right governing authorities coordinated the mosque compound’s Israeli flag display and visitor rituals.
He claimed that such measures aim to establish new reality in occupied East Jerusalem and undermine the Al-Aqsa Mosque’s long-standing legal and historical arrangements.
Rajoub added that Israeli settlers’ repeated admission into the compound is part of a larger campaign to split the mosque physically and chronologically and transform Jerusalem’s religious, cultural, and demographic identity.
He warned that continued assaults into the mosque compound, especially under police protection, violate international law and offend Palestinians and Muslims worldwide who revere the place.
He called the situation increasingly explosive and blamed the Israeli government for a hazardous escalation and called for quick international engagement to stop developments at the holy site.
Rajoub also urged the international community, particularly global institutions, to protect religious heritage sites in occupied East Jerusalem and prevent escalating conflicts.
He stressed that the entire 144-dunam Al-Aqsa Mosque compound must remain a Muslim place of worship.
Palestinians say Israeli officials have gradually increased regulated admission into the enclave during defined hours on most days of the week, barring Fridays and Saturdays, since 2003.
Palestinian officials and community groups have regularly expressed worry about plans to “Judaize” East Jerusalem, particularly Al-Aqsa Mosque access and control. According to them, such actions aim to erase the city’s Arab and Islamic identity.
Palestine sees East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, causing conflict. Several international agreements reject Israel’s 1967 occupation and 1980 annexation……See More
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