From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Hamas calls on Muslims to oppose reported plans to limit Temple Mount access during Ramadan ‘by any means’
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Hamas rails against the Israeli security establishment’s recommendation to restrict Muslim prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan, which begins this Friday.
In a Telegram statement, Hamas calls on Palestinian Muslims in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as well as Arab Israelis to travel to the Temple Mount in large numbers and oppose attempts by Israel to “desecrate and control” the site, “by any means.”
The statement comes in the wake of Hebrew media reports claiming that Israel’s security establishment plans to allow only 10,000 West Bank Palestinians to enter the al-Aqsa compound for Friday prayer, given they submit a request in advance. Ex-prisoners released under the current ceasefire deal will not be permitted to enter the compound.
On the final Friday of Ramadan last year, some 120,000 worshippers prayed at Al-Aqsa — under heavy security — without major incidents, despite heightened tensions related to the war in Gaza. However, the site is a flashpoint, having seen frequent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces over the years.
Security officials also recommended allowing entry only to younger children and older adults, namely children younger than 12, men older than 55, or women over the age of 50, per the reports. The IDF issued similar age restrictions for West Bank Palestinians last year.
The recommendation followed a series of discussions between the IDF, Defense Ministry, Israel Police, Shin Bet and Israel Prison Service. Security forces have yet to announce an official policy regarding Muslim access to the site.
The Kan public broadcaster reports that 3,000 security personnel will be deployed at checkpoints each day of the fast-approaching holy month.
The Times of Israel Community.