Muslim worshippers gather outside the Jerusalem old city walls on March 20, 2026 to attend attend the early morning prayers for Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Holy sites such as the Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's old city have remained closed for security reasons since the outbreak of the Middle East war on Feb. 28, when Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran. (Credit: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP)
BEIRUT — The Jerusalem prefecture has condemned the prolonged closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, which prevented Palestinians from performing the Eid al-Fitr prayer, marking the end of Ramadan.
In a statement, the prefecture described Israel’s extended closure of the holy site as “a dangerous and unprecedented escalation, as well as a flagrant violation of freedom of worship and the legal and historical status quo in the Holy City.”
This decision forced worshippers to pray in the street outside Jerusalem’s Old City in the morning.
Israeli forces also fired tear gas at Palestinians attempting to access the site, according to footage broadcast by Al-Jazeera.
The holy places, such as the mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City, have remained closed “for security reasons” since the start of the Israeli-American war against Iran on Feb. 28.
Rubio condemns Iran's 'outrageous' attacks on Kuwait
Geagea: International positions in support of Lebanon require a strong state
