Ben Gvir raids Al-Aqsa as Israel plans to reopen mosque to settler incursions

Ben Gvir raids Al-Aqsa as Israel plans to reopen mosque to settler incursions Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 04/07/2026 - 08:59 Palestinian bodies warn an Israeli proposal to admit equal numbers of Palestinians and Israelis risks entrenching division at the Jerusalem holy site A boy folds his arms, as Palestinian Muslim worshippers are barred by Israeli forces from attending Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on 13 March 2026 (Reuters/Ammar Awad) Off Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir raided Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday while Muslims remain barred, as police plan to reopen the site to allow settlers to resume daily incursions. Israeli media reported that the police, overseen by Ben Gvir, prepared a plan to admit up to 150 Israelis or Muslims at a time, which has drawn widespread criticism from Palestinian bodies. Al-Quds International Institution said the plan “deepens the division of Al-Aqsa Mosque” between Muslims and Jews.