Israel’s ultranationalist security minister ascended to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem for what he said was a “prayer” for hostages in Gaza, freshly challenging rules over one of the most sensitive sites in the Middle East, Reuters reports.
In a post on X, hardline Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said: “I ascended today to our holy place, in prayer for the welfare of our soldiers, to swiftly return all the hostages and total victory with God’s help.”
The post included a picture of Ben-Gvir walking in the compound, situated on an elevated plaza in Jerusalem’s walled Old City, but no images or video of him praying.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office immediately released a statement restating the official Israeli position.