Israel has completely closed Al-Aqsa Mosque for an indefinite period for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic following escalation with Iran.
Friday prayers could not be held at the mosque due to the closure. According to the Palestinian news agency “Wafa,” Israeli forces stormed the mosque after Fajr prayer and forcibly removed the worshippers present there.
After evicting the worshippers, the Israeli army closed all the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and no one is being allowed to enter.
The closure of Al-Aqsa by Israel came just hours after its attack on Iran, while a complete lockdown has also been imposed in the West Bank.
Director of International Affairs, Tourism, and Diplomacy at the Islamic Waqf, Awn Bzbaz, told Middle East Eye that Israel used the tension with Iran as an opportunity to gain further control over Al-Aqsa Mosque.
It is noteworthy that the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the ban on worshippers is a blatant violation of the fundamental right to religious freedom.
Iran Launches Missiles at Israel
Iran has launched waves of missiles at Israel to hit targets in different cities, including Tel Aviv, in retaliatory strikes after Israel carried out attacks in Tehran and other cities.
Iranian media reported that missiles were launched from the capital city of Tehran, and Kermanshah, in western Iran, toward targets deep in Israel.
International media reported that explosion were heard in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities after the Iran launched ballistic missiles barrage.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the Israeli national emergency service told media that one person was killed several others injured in direct missile strikes. He said three of the injured are in critical condition.
Iran started conducting retaliatory strikes on Israeli targets on Friday evening local time, after Israeli targeted locations, including residential buildings, inside Iran in an unprovoked action.
Iran said Israel has killed 78 people, including senior military officials, and wounded more than 320 people in Iran
Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri and Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami were among those who were killed in Tehran.
Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the Israeli attack and vowed to make the enemy regret its foolish act.
Following the Israeli attack on the Iranian capital and other cities, he said Iran’s legitimate and powerful response would make the enemy regret its actions.
