Exclusive: Israel to keep Al-Aqsa Mosque closed through Eid al-Fitr and beyond

Exclusive: Israel to keep Al-Aqsa Mosque closed through Eid al-Fitr and beyond Submitted by Lubna Masarwa on Mon, 03/16/2026 - 11:19 Sources tell MEE Israel has limited Al-Aqsa access to just 25 Waqf staff per shift for over two weeks A drone view shows the Dome of the Rock in Al-Aqsa Mosque amid heavy restrictions on worshippers accessing the holy site, 6 March 2026 (Reuters/Ilan Rosenberg) Off Israel is set to keep Al-Aqsa Mosque closed through the upcoming Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr and beyond, Middle East Eye has learnt. Sources familiar with the occupied East Jerusalem mosque’s affairs said Israeli authorities informed the Islamic Waqf, the body responsible for administering the site, of the decision in recent days. Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam, was closed by Israeli authorities earlier this month, citing the “security situation” amid the US-Israeli war on Iran .