Occupation Continues to Close Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the 39th Consecutive Day

SadaNews - The Israeli occupation authorities continue to close the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the 39th consecutive day under the pretext of "state of emergency" and security conditions.

During the closure, the occupation forces impose strict military measures around Al-Aqsa Mosque and close the gates of the Old City of Jerusalem, amid noticeable escalation. This comes after the incursion of the extremist Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque from the direction of the Mughrabi Gate last Monday evening, under heavy guard from the occupation forces.

This incursion occurs amid heightened calls from colonial groups to intensify incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque, within a series of incursions carried out by the extremist Ben Gvir, who has stormed the mosque approximately 14 times since assuming his position in 2023, as part of an escalatory policy towards the mosque.

The occupation authorities exploit this pretext to strengthen their control over Al-Aqsa Mosque, at a time when popular and Jerusalemite calls are escalating to mobilize towards the closest military points and checkpoints surrounding it, in an attempt to break the imposed siege and enforce its reopening.

The "Temple Mount groups" are exploiting the period of the Hebrew "Passover" holiday, which began on April 2nd and continues until the 9th, to incite incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque and call for the "sacrifice of offerings" within it.

Official and religious authorities warn of the dangers of the continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque, considering it a blatant violation of the freedom of worship and a serious escalation that requires urgent international intervention to stop these measures.