Israel reopens Al-Aqsa Mosque as it extends settler raid hours
Israeli authorities reopened Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday after an unprecedented closure lasting more than 40 days.
More than 3,000 Palestinian worshippers performed the dawn (Fajr) prayer at the site for the first time since the United States and Israel launched their joint assault on Iran on 28 February.
Footage shared online showed the reopening of the mosque’s gates, with large crowds entering its courtyards and expressing joy at returning after the prolonged closure.
Videos also showed volunteers and mosque custodians cleaning and preparing the site to receive worshippers.
Israel had closed Al-Aqsa - one of Islam’s holiest sites - and barred Palestinian Muslims from accessing it, including during Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr and Friday prayers.
Read more: Israel reopens Al-Aqsa Mosque as it extends settler raid hours
Muslim worshippers gather at the Al-Aqsa Mosque for the fajr dawn prayer in Jerusalem on 9 April 2026 (AFP/Ahmad Gharabli)