Israeli Police Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque During Ramadan Prayers

Israeli police violently raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound before dawn today, attacking Palestinian worshippers during Ramadan prayers in an operation that wounded dozens and sparked outrage across the Muslim world.

The Raid

Pre-Dawn Attack:

400+ police stormed compound
Stun grenades in prayer halls
Batons used on worshippers
Women and elderly beaten
Sacred carpets damaged
Mosque doors smashed

Casualties:

50+ Palestinians injured
12 hospitalized
400+ arrested
Journalists attacked
Medics prevented access

Worshipper Accounts

Fatima Khaldi (60, Jerusalem): “We were praying when they stormed in. They beat everyone, even old women. This is our holy month, our holy place.”

Ahmad Safadi (witness): “They fired grenades inside the prayer hall. People were screaming, suffocating. It was terrifying.”

Israeli Justification

Police claim:

“Rioters barricaded inside”
Stones and fireworks stockpiled
Restore order necessary
Jews visiting for Passover
Security maintained

Ramadan-Passover Overlap

Tension Points:

Muslim holy month
Jewish Passover week
Christian Easter approaching
Competing claims intensified
Provocations expected

Jewish Visits:

Ultra-nationalists planning visits
Temple Mount activists
Government ministers supportive
Palestinians see provocation
Clashes inevitable

Regional Explosion

Immediate Reactions:

Jordan: Summoned Israeli ambassador
Egypt: “Dangerous escalation”
Saudi: “Condemns violations”
Turkey: “Attacks on worship freedom”
UAE: Despite Abraham Accords, criticized

Palestinian Response:

Gaza rockets fired (intercepted)
West Bank protests
General strike considered
Unity in outrage
Calls for protection

International Concern

UN Statement:

“Deeply disturbed by violence at holy sites. Call for respect for status quo.”

US Position:

“Concerned by images from Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount. Urge all sides to de-escalate.”

OIC Emergency Meeting:

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation called session to address “Israeli aggression.”

Status Quo Violation

Historical Understanding:

Muslims pray, Jews visit
Jordan custodianship
Israeli security control
Delicate balance
Repeatedly violated

Recent Changes:

Jewish prayer attempts
Visit numbers increasing
Ministers’ provocations
Muslim restrictions
Status quo eroding

Ben-Gvir’s Role

National Security Minister:

Visited in January
Promises more access
Police under his control
Provocations endorsed
Escalation guaranteed

Government Position:

Right-wing pressure
Religious nationalism
Temple Mount agenda
International law ignored
Conflict inevitable

Humanitarian Concerns

Mosque Damage:

Windows smashed
Carpets burned
Sound system destroyed
Medical clinic ransacked
Historic artifacts risked

Worshipper Trauma:

Sanctity violated
Women terrified
Children traumatized
Elderly humiliated
Faith under attack

Pattern of Raids

Recent Years:

2021: Triggered Gaza war
2022: Regular incursions
2023: Escalating frequency
Ramadan especially tense
No accountability

Tactics Consistent:

Pre-dawn timing
Overwhelming force
Collective punishment
Media restricted
Narrative control attempted

Wider Context

Current Violence:

West Bank raids daily
Jenin under siege
Settlers attacking
Jerusalem tense
Gaza preparing

Political Dynamics:

Netanyahu’s far-right coalition
PA weakened
Hamas seeking relevance
Regional attention diverted
US influence minimal

Analysis: Playing with Fire

The Al-Aqsa raid represents:

Religious Provocation:

Islam’s third-holiest site
During Ramadan prayers
Sanctity violated
Muslims worldwide angered
Conflict religionized

Political Calculation:

Far-right base pleased
Security narrative reinforced
Palestinians blamed
International costs accepted
Escalation risked

Regional Implications:

Abraham Accords tested
Jordan relations strained
Turkish rhetoric heated
Iran propaganda gifted
Stability threatened

Potential Consequences:

Jerusalem uprising
Gaza involvement
West Bank explosion
Regional crisis
Religious war framing

By raiding Al-Aqsa during Ramadan prayers, Israeli forces have once again demonstrated how the holy site remains the most sensitive flashpoint, capable of igniting broader conflict. With a far-right government encouraging provocations and Palestinians at breaking point, the stage is set for potential explosion during this convergence of religious holidays.