More than 2,300 Israelis storm Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem

What the report says

Al Jazeera reported that more than 2,300 Israeli settlers and far-right activists entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday, July 23, 2026, during Tisha B’Av, citing Palestinian officials. Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was also at the site under heavy police protection. The Palestinian administration of the Jerusalem governorate said the figure covered an initial three-hour period and could rise before sundown.

According to the report, Palestinian officials said Israeli forces imposed strict controls at entrances to the compound, prevented many Palestinian worshippers and students from entering, and assaulted several worshippers. Al Jazeera’s correspondent said Israeli authorities tightened measures across Jerusalem’s Old City and at checkpoints around East Jerusalem. The Jerusalem governorate said some visitors performed Jewish religious rituals inside the compound; Israeli media reported that police allowed more than 1,000 Israelis to pray there.

The site, known to Muslims as Al-Aqsa and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is one of the most sensitive religious and political locations in the region. Under arrangements dating to after Israel captured East Jerusalem in 1967, non-Muslims may visit but are generally not permitted to pray there. Israel annexed East Jerusalem in 1980, a move not internationally recognised.

Palestinian authorities described Ben-Gvir’s entry as an escalation and warned against changes to the site’s historical and legal status quo. Hamas also condemned the events. Jordan’s foreign ministry called the visit an unacceptable provocation and urged international pressure on Israel. Al Jazeera noted concerns that further visits around Friday prayers could increase the risk of confrontation.