DaysofPal — Israeli occupation forces have significantly expanded their military presence in the eastern section of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound alongside ongoing settler incursions, with Palestinian experts warning that the area has effectively come under full Israeli control.
Israeli occupation police, operating under the authority of far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have reinforced their deployment in the area and installed shelters and facilities designated for settlers inside the eastern section of the compound.
According to Palestinian researchers and officials, the measures have coincided with the diminishing role of the Islamic Waqf Department, which administers Al-Aqsa Mosque, while restoration work has been prevented, effectively placing the area outside Islamic administration.
Experts say the Israeli occupation initially justified its military presence as necessary to secure settler incursions into the compound. The measures later expanded to include the area surrounding Bab al-Rahma (Gate of Mercy), which constitutes nearly one-third of Al-Aqsa Mosque, as part of efforts to separate it administratively, militarily, and physically from the rest of the compound.
Palestinian Jerusalem affairs researcher Fakhri Abu Diab said that the Israeli occupation has concentrated its efforts in recent years on the eastern section of Al-Aqsa Mosque, particularly around Bab al-Rahma, with the aim of separating the area and imposing full control over it.
Abu Diab said the occupation authorities have sought to allocate the area for Talmudic rituals while preventing Muslims from accessing it, ultimately paving the way for the installation of barriers and physical divisions that would further entrench Israeli control.
He explained that the area extends around Bab al-Rahma and Bab al-Tawbah (Gate of Repentance), covering approximately 12 dunums. It also contains soil removed from the Marwani Prayer Hall during restoration work. According to Abu Diab, Israeli occupation forces have routinely prevented Muslims from entering the area while allowing settlers to access it.
He added that the occupation has worked, both publicly and behind the scenes, to empty the area of Muslim presence. Located north of the Dome of the Rock, the site includes the rocky platform known as the Dome of the Spirits, where Israeli occupation forces have established a police post and imposed strict security inspections.
Abu Diab said developments indicate that preparations have reached an advanced stage toward constructing a synagogue in the area, noting that engineering plans are already in place.
He explained that the process of separating the area unfolded in several stages, beginning under the pretext of protecting settlers during their incursions. This included rerouting settler incursions from the Moroccan Gate to the southern section of Bab al-Rahma Cemetery, an area controlled by Israeli occupation forces after carrying out extensive land-leveling operations.
According to Abu Diab, the route allows settlers to access the area from outside Jerusalem’s Old City walls under the stated objective of avoiding friction with Muslim worshippers, while effectively consolidating Israeli control over the site.
He warned that separating this section from the rest of Al-Aqsa Mosque would undermine the existing custodianship over the holy site and pave the way for physical barriers dividing different parts of the compound.
Meanwhile, Hassan Khater, president of the International Jerusalem Center, said Israeli occupation attempts to impose control over parts of Al-Aqsa Mosque and strengthen its military presence there have continued since the occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967.
Khater said that the latest development is the consolidation of full Israeli control over the eastern section of the mosque compound, transforming it into a security zone administered by the occupation authorities.
He said Israel is seeking through these measures to impose complete security control over Al-Aqsa Mosque and treat it as a military and security site rather than a place of worship.
Khater also referred to a proposal introduced in 2023 by Israeli Knesset member Amit Halevi calling for Israeli control over the Dome of the Rock, the central courtyards, and the northern areas extending from Lions’ Gate to Al-Ghawanmeh Gate, while leaving only the Qibli Prayer Hall for Muslim worship.
Khater said implementing the proposal would place nearly 70 percent of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under Israeli control.
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