Turkey warns that the raids risk further deepening tensions, instability in the region
Israeli settlers raised Israeli flags inside the Al Aqsa Mosque on April 21, 2026. PHOTO: West Bank Notifications X
Dozens of Israeli occupiers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday morning under the protection of Israeli forces, the official news agency Wafa reported.
Local sources said occupiers entered the compound and publicly performed Talmudic rituals in its courtyards under Israeli protection, Wafa added.
The Turkish foreign ministry condemned the act in a statement posted on X, saying, “Such provocative acts, which violate the historical and legal status of Al-Aqsa Mosque as a holy site belonging to Muslims, risk further deepening tensions and instability in the region.”
The statement ended with a call to protect the rights of Palestinians and prevent “violations in occupied East Jerusalem and against its holy sites.”
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound last month in occupied East Jerusalem under heavy police protection.
Citing the Jerusalem Governorate, Wafa said the incursion came amid an ongoing escalation of violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in East Jerusalem, as well as continued restrictions on worshippers’ access to the mosque.
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Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world’s third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area Temple Mount, claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.Israeli police have allowed occupiers to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound daily, except Fridays and Saturdays, since 2003.
Israeli occupiers stormed the mosque 30 times in April, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.
Read More: Israel continues to bar Muslims from Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque for 4th straight week
Palestinians said Israel had intensified efforts for decades to Judaize East Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa Mosque, and erase the city’s Arab and Islamic identity.
Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, citing international resolutions that do not recognise Israel’s occupation of the city in 1967 or its annexation in 1980.
