29 Days on: Israeli occupation extends Al-Aqsa closure until mid-April

OCCUPIED QUDS, March 28 (YPA) – For the 29th consecutive day, Israeli occupation authorities continue to seal off the Al-Aqsa Mosque, announcing an extension of the closure until April 15.

This marking represents the longest continuous shutdown since the 1967 occupation, cited under the pretext of “security conditions” and the current state of emergency.

The Old City remains severed from its surroundings by military checkpoints, with entry restricted solely to residents. This policy extends to Christian sanctities, as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre remains closed to worshippers and visitors alike.

For the fourth consecutive week, Friday prayers were blocked, forcing hundreds to pray in the streets. The Israeli occupation forces used force to disperse gatherings in Salah al-Din Street and areas adjacent to the Old City walls.

The decision raises serious questions regarding its true motives; while strict “public safety” restrictions are imposed on the Old City, movement and gatherings remain largely permitted in other parts of occupied Jerusalem.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that the mosque’s courtyards are entirely empty, with only a limited number of Al-Aqsa guards and Endowment (Waqf) employees permitted inside, a stark contrast to the thousands who typically gather for Friday prayers.

YPA