Groups of Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday, marking the site’s first day of reopening after a 40-day shutdown. The move follows a period of restricted access that officials had enforced citing security concerns.
The site, which is sacred to both Muslims and Jews, remains a flashpoint for tensions in the region. Witnesses reported that settlers toured the courtyard under the protection of Israeli security forces shortly after the gates were opened to the public.
Security measures at the holy site
Access to the compound has been heavily restricted for weeks, leaving many local residents unable to reach the mosque for daily prayers. The reopening on Thursday saw a heavy security presence, with officers monitoring the perimeter as groups of visitors moved through the site.
Al Jazeera reports that the entry of the settlers occurred almost immediately after the site was declared open. The compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, has seen frequent confrontations between visitors, worshipers, and security personnel over the past several years.
Local authorities have not yet released a full operational plan for how the site will be managed during the coming weeks. For now, the crowds remain under tight surveillance as the area returns to its standard security protocols.
