Israel closes Al-Aqsa for Muslims amid mass settler raids and ‘Flag March’

Israel closes Al-Aqsa for Muslims amid mass settler raids and ‘Flag March’ Submitted by Lubna Masarwa on Thu, 05/14/2026 - 11:50 The lockdown in Jerusalem’s Old City comes amid fears of further raids on Friday, which coincides with Nakba Day Israeli settlers dance and wave flags in the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem during the "Jerusalem Day" parade on 14 May 2026 (Ilia Yefimovich/AFP) Off Israeli forces violently blocked Palestinian Muslims from accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque on Thursday, as they facilitated large-scale raids by ultranationalists ahead of the “Flag March” through Jerusalem’s Old City. The Old City, in occupied East Jerusalem, was placed under near-total lockdown to accommodate the marches and incursions, with Palestinian-owned shops forced to shut and residents ordered indoors. “Security barriers and restrictions are tighter than ever before,” an employee of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, which administers Al-Aqsa Mosque, told Middle East Eye on condition of anonymity.