Awqaf: 28 incursions into Al-Aqsa and 57 prohibitions on the call to prayer at the Ibrahimi Mosque last month

SadaNews - The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs issued its monthly report on the reality of violations by the occupation against Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Ibrahimi Mosque, and all places of worship during the past month of January.

The Awqaf stated in its report today, Monday, that the occupation and settlers have escalated their attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque, whether by the number of incursions which exceeded 28 incursions, or through dangerous judaization schemes targeting Al-Aqsa. The occupation forces have also imposed restrictions on worshippers and hindered their access to Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform prayers, especially the Fajr prayer. They stopped and scrutinized young men’s identities in the vicinity of the Old City of occupied Jerusalem and at the gates of Al-Aqsa during their entry to perform Friday prayers.

The occupation forces continued to invade the surroundings of the Qiblai mosque and the Dome of the Rock, coinciding with the Friday sermon and prayer. Settlers demonstrated epic prostration during their incursions into the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, in a blatant violation of the sanctity of the place.

The occupation authorities held a graduation ceremony for its soldiers at the Buraq Wall adjacent to the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, in a provocative scene added to a series of violations against the sanctity of the place, amid widespread discontent among the Jerusalemites.

The Awqaf clarified that the occupation army prevented the call to prayer from being raised at the Ibrahimi Mosque 57 times during this month, and still daily closes the "Market Gate" and continues to close the Eastern Gate and block the Eastern Gate windows with tarpaulins since the beginning of 2025. The locks recently placed by the occupation on the doors of services and operations of the mosque remain, preventing the mosque's keepers from unlocking them and directly hindering their work.

The occupation also closed Door (7) to employees. The occupation deliberately delayed the call to prayer by postponing the entrance of the muezzin several times. In addition, worshippers and employees faced humiliating search procedures and were subjected to vulgar insults.

It noted the continuation of excavations and other works inside the Ashraf Corner next to the Ibrahimi Mosque, without knowing the nature of the works. The occupation forces in civilian clothes, on more than one occasion, expelled employees from the Ishaqiyah praying area to secure their entry. No less than 550 soldiers from the occupation forces have invaded the mosque. The teams of the keepers and employees were targeted and the entry of some employees into the mosque was prevented.

The Ministry of Awqaf confirmed that what the occupation is doing is a blatant and egregious assault on the authorities of the Awqaf in the Ibrahimi Mosque, a serious violation of its sanctity, provocation of the feelings of Muslims, and an attempt to take control over it.

Regarding Islamic and Christian places of worship, the report monitored the Israeli occupation forces raiding the Jawhar and Martyrs mosques in the city of Hebron and conducting searches inside them, considering this an assault on the sanctity of the mosques and freedom of worship.

Settlers also spat on the Church of the Agony in occupied Jerusalem last Thursday in a blatant violation of the sanctity of the place, driven by extremist ideas and religious hatred. This attack comes as part of a series of escalating similar attacks targeting churches and Christian clerics in the Old City, in the same manner, reflecting a repeated incitement that targets the Christian presence and its sanctities in the occupied city.

The ministry confirmed that these practices fall within the framework of ongoing violations against Islamic sanctities, aiming to pressure citizens and prevent them from performing their religious rituals freely and safely, holding the occupation fully responsible for the repercussions of these assaults.

The Awqaf called on international institutions and human rights organizations to assume their responsibilities and intervene urgently to stop the violations against the mosques, affirming their adherence to the protection of Islamic sanctities and preserving their sanctity.