OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israeli police have arrested the imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Mohammed al-Abbasi, from inside the mosque’s courtyards in occupied Jerusalem.
No official reason for the detention made on Monday evening was provided.
According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, the arrest comes amid escalating Israeli measures against Al-Aqsa Mosque, including restrictions on imams, preachers, and worshippers, limits on entry, and intensified incursions by settler groups under heavy police protection.
Condemnation from Palestinian groups
According to Anadolu Agency, Hamas condemned the arrest, stating that al-Abbasi had been “served with an order banning him from the mosque.” The movement described the measure as a “blatant interference in the affairs of Al-Aqsa and an unacceptable assault on its imams.”
Hamas added that Israeli actions constitute “escalating violations against the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, restrictions on worshippers’ access, prevention of logistical preparations for Ramazan, and intensified raids by settler groups,” calling them dangerous interventions aimed at “Judaizing the mosque, restricting freedom of worship, and imposing temporal and spatial division.”
The group urged Palestinians in Jerusalem, across the West Bank, and within the 1948 territories to maintain a strong presence at Al-Aqsa, and called on the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and Arab and Islamic nations to take urgent action to protect the mosque.
Rising tensions ahead of Ramazan
Occupied Jerusalem, particularly the Old City and Al-Aqsa compound, has witnessed increasing tensions amid tightened Israeli security measures, including arrests and ban orders against religious figures and Palestinian activists.
Israeli police have announced plans for a heavy deployment around Al-Aqsa during Ramazan, while Palestinian officials report restrictions on access.
During the holy month, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians traditionally attend prayers at Al-Aqsa – Islam’s third-holiest site, located in east Jerusalem, which Israel captured in 1967 and later annexed.
The compound remains a central symbol of Palestinian identity and a frequent flashpoint, with long-standing arrangements allowing Jewish visits but prohibiting prayer.
Implications
The arrest of Sheikh al-Abbasi comes at a sensitive time, as religious and political tensions around Al-Aqsa compound continue to rise.
Observers warn that restrictions on worshippers, clergy, and logistical preparations during Ramazan may heighten unrest and further strain relations in the region.
