During Ramadan 2026, Israeli authorities imposed strict limitations and a full closure on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, sparking international condemnation.
The holy month of Ramadan in 2026 has been marked by severe restrictions and a complete closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, occurring against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza and significant international legal proceedings.
Timeline of Restrictions and Closure at Al-Aqsa
Initial Ramadan Restrictions: At the beginning of Ramadan, Israel imposed strict limitations on Palestinian worshippers attempting to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Israeli authorities capped the number of worshippers at 10,000 and instituted age-based conditions, permitting entry only to men over 55 and women over 50 who had secured prior approval.
Full Closure (February 28, 2026): On February 28, 2026, coinciding with the outbreak of a military conflict involving Israel, the US, and Iran, Israeli security forces completely sealed the Al-Aqsa compound. The closure prevented all access, including barring the mosque's own staff and Waqf guards from entering.
Stated Justification: Israeli authorities stated that the closure of the mosque and the broader Old City was a necessary security and public safety measure due to the wartime emergency and the conflict with Iran.
International Condemnation (March 11, 2026): On March 11, 2026, the foreign ministers of eight Islamic and Arab nations (Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Turkiye, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates) issued a joint statement condemning the ongoing closure. They categorized the Israeli restrictions as a "flagrant violation to international law" and an infringement on the principle of unrestricted access to places of worship.
Context of the Occupation and Gaza Genocide
The restrictions in Jerusalem are unfolding alongside intense international legal scrutiny regarding Israel's broader actions in the Palestinian territories.
Status of the Occupation: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) previously issued an Advisory Opinion declaring that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful. Furthermore, in March 2026, a group of UN experts issued a warning that Israel's actions in Jerusalem—including forced displacement and access limitations—may amount to war crimes and constitute grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
ICJ Genocide Proceedings: There is an ongoing, high-profile case at the ICJ initiated by South Africa in December 2023, which formally accuses Israel of breaching the Genocide Convention during its military campaign in the Gaza Strip. In early March 2026, UN experts publicly expressed alarm over the region, stating that "genocide continues in Gaza".