Israel extends Al-Aqsa Mosque closure until mid-April

Israel extends Al-Aqsa Mosque closure until mid-April Submitted by Lubna Masarwa on Thu, 03/26/2026 - 12:27 Worshippers remain barred as Palestinians warn of escalating restrictions at holy site Jews pray outside of the Western Wall, with the al-Aqsa Mosque pictured in the background, in the Old City of Jerusalem on 12 March 2026 (AFP/Hazem Bader) Off Israeli authorities have extended the closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem until at least 15 April, Middle East Eye has learned. Sources familiar with the mosque’s affairs said Israeli officials on Wednesday informed the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf – the Jordanian-appointed body that administers the site – of the extension. It remains unclear whether the mosque will reopen after 15 April or if the closure will be prolonged further.