Israel To Deploy Thousands Of Police At Al-Aqsa Mosque For Ramadan As Palestinians Allege Curbs

Last Updated:February 17, 2026, 01:05 IST

Police say forces will be stationed day and night while Palestinian officials say access and preparations are being restricted.

Israeli police said Monday they will deploy large numbers of officers around the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound throughout Ramadan, which begins this week, while Palestinian officials accused authorities of imposing fresh restrictions on access and preparations at the site.

Senior Jerusalem police official Arad Braverman said forces would operate “day and night" across the compound and surrounding areas, with thousands also expected to be deployed for Friday prayers that draw the largest crowds.

Police have recommended issuing 10,000 permits for Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, who need special permission to enter Jerusalem, with the final decision to be taken by the government.

What Restrictions Are Palestinians Reporting?

The Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate said it had been told permits would again be limited to men over 55 and women over 50, similar to last year’s criteria.

Officials also said Israeli authorities had prevented the Islamic Waqf, the Jordanian-run body that administers the compound, from carrying out routine Ramadan preparations such as installing shade structures and temporary medical clinics.

A Waqf source said 33 staff members had been barred from entering the site in the week leading up to Ramadan.

Why Is Al-Aqsa A Flashpoint?

The Al-Aqsa compound, located in east Jerusalem, is Islam’s third-holiest site and a powerful symbol of Palestinian religious and national identity. It also sits at the heart of competing historical and religious claims.

Under the long-standing “status quo" arrangement, Muslims pray at the site while Jews are allowed to visit but not pray. Palestinians fear this balance is being gradually altered through tighter access controls and increased visits by Jewish activists, which they see as steps toward asserting greater Israeli control.

Israel says it remains committed to maintaining the existing arrangements.

What Has Israel Said About Changes?

Braverman said there were no plans to change the status quo, reiterating that security measures are aimed at managing large crowds during the holy month.

Why Have Tensions Risen In Recent Years?

Tensions around the Al-Aqsa compound have intensified due to a combination of increased visits by Jewish nationalist groups, periodic security restrictions on Muslim worshippers, and overlapping religious observances.

A key flashpoint has been the Jewish festival of Passover, when activist groups have in recent years sought to conduct prayers or symbolic rituals at the site — actions Palestinians view as attempts to alter the long-standing status quo that limits Jewish prayer there.

Visits by prominent far-right figures have added to the sensitivity. Among them is Itamar Ben-Gvir, who prayed at the compound while serving as Israel’s national security minister in 2024 and 2025, moves Palestinians widely interpreted as politically charged and indicative of a possible shift in policy.

For Palestinians, these developments raise concerns that Israel may gradually expand Jewish religious activity at the site, while Israel says it is maintaining existing arrangements and ensuring security.

Because major religious occasions for Muslims and Jews sometimes coincide — such as Ramadan and Passover — the compound often becomes a focal point for heightened tensions.

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