DayofPal—Israel has extended the duration of settler raids at Al-Aqsa Mosque by one hour at the start of Ramadan, allowing ultra-nationalist groups to remain at the site for five hours instead of four.
Visits will begin at 6:30am and conclude at 11:30am. The change was implemented just before the Muslim holy month commenced in Palestine.
The new schedule, approved by Jerusalem District Commander Avshalom Peled, begins earlier in the morning and comes alongside increased restrictions on Palestinian access.
During Ramadan, only 10,000 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, limited to those over 50 or under 12, will be allowed to enter on Fridays, and only with prior Israeli army approval.
Israeli forces also detained Al-Aqsa’s imam, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Abbasi, and increased their presence across occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Religious and political figures, including Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, said the measures reflect Israel’s growing control over the site and attempts to disrupt Muslim worship during Ramadan.
Authorities are also considering allowing settler raids during the last 10 days of Ramadan, a period traditionally restricted due to high numbers of worshippers.
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