Israeli security forces check the identities of Palestinians on their way to perform Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque (French)
The Israeli army and the Shin Bet security service warned of the consequences of a possible decision to prevent Palestinians from the occupied West Bank from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque, at a time when an Israeli security official described this policy as a powder keg.
These warnings came after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called on Friday for a complete ban on the entry of Palestinians from the West Bank to the Temple Mount during the holy month of Ramadan.
Ben Gvir issued this call on the same day that witnessed an operation in the Kiryat Malachi settlement east of Ashdod, which led to the killing of two Israelis.
The Israeli government is scheduled to discuss the security policy for the entry of Palestinians from the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem into Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan.
Bin Ghafir, along with others, storms the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque when he was a deputy (Anatolia Agency - Archives)
Political battle
Israeli Channel 12 quoted sources as saying that a political battle was taking place behind the scenes before the security policy in this regard was discussed.
The Shin Bet and the army proposed allowing Palestinians aged 45 and over to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque, while the police proposed allowing those over 60 years of age to enter.
Israeli media reported that the security establishment warned that Ben Gvir's policy would lead to provoking sectors that are already under control.
Since the beginning of the war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, Israel has greatly limited Palestinian access to Al-Aqsa Mosque in parallel with the escalation of incursions carried out by its forces in the West Bank.
Yesterday, about 25,000 Palestinians performed Friday prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque, the largest number of worshipers the mosque has witnessed since the beginning of the war.
Source: Al Jazeera + Anadolu Agency