Israel will be imposing extra restrictions around the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem during the holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Saturday, Al Jazeera reports.

  • Worshippers visiting the mosque from the occupied West Bank will be restricted to men older than 55 and women older than 50.
  • Palestinian prisoners recently released from Israeli custody will also be banned from visiting the compound during Ramadan.
  • Israel has claimed the measures are similar to those imposed last year, but the Palestinian Authority has said they are “racist and provocative”.
  • There will be an increased Israeli security presence around East Jerusalem during Ramadan, with 3,000 armed personnel stationed at checkpoints on roads leading to the mosque.
  • Visitors of the Jewish faith are allowed to visit but not pray at the compound, according to a longstanding convention, as the compound is the site of a Jewish temple destroyed in 70 AD.

Opinion

Editorial

Gulf flare-up
Updated 09 Jul, 2026

Gulf flare-up

IS the fragile US-Iran ceasefire — and the memorandum of understanding that underpins it — collapsing? Unless...
Costly food
09 Jul, 2026

Costly food

THE recent decline in diesel and LPG prices should have brought some relief to consumers struggling with high food...
Unliveable city
09 Jul, 2026

Unliveable city

IT comes as no surprise. Karachi — Pakistan’s largest city, its financial engine and home to over 20m people —...
Hamas’s move
Updated 08 Jul, 2026

Hamas’s move

THE decision taken by Hamas to relinquish governance of Gaza appears to be designed to put the onus on the US and...
Terrorism threat
Updated 08 Jul, 2026

Terrorism threat

THE surge in terrorist violence in Balochistan highlights the renewed threat confronting Pakistan. The martyrdom of...
Football meddling
08 Jul, 2026

Football meddling

AFTER ending co-hosts America’s World Cup run in the last-16 stage, Belgium felt justice had been served. It was...