Arabic version: إعادة فتح المسجد الأقصى للصلاة بعد إغلاق دام 40 يومًا

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem reopened to Palestinian worshippers on April 9, 2026, following a 40-day closure imposed by Israel. According to Al Jazeera, video footage showed Palestinians streaming through its gates early on Thursday morning, with around 3,000 attending morning prayers.

Access to the mosque had been completely prohibited since February 28, when the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran led to a complete ban on worshippers at various religious sites. The Islamic Waqf Department, which oversees the mosque and is affiliated with Jordan, confirmed the reopening but did not provide additional details.

Israeli authorities announced the opening of Al-Aqsa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the evening prior. They cited “updated instructions from the Israeli Home Front Command” and noted that security measures would be intensified, with hundreds of police officers and border guards deployed in the Old City of Jerusalem to ensure safety for visitors.

The recent closures had disrupted religious celebrations for many, including Lent, Passover, and Ramadan. Notably, this year marked the first time Eid al-Fitr prayers were restricted at Al-Aqsa since Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967. The timing of the reopening coincides with Orthodox Christians preparing to celebrate Easter this Sunday.

Despite the reopening of Al-Aqsa, Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank have persisted. Reports indicate that Israeli forces detained a woman and assaulted a man during a raid in Nablus on Thursday. Additionally, the Palestinian health ministry reported the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old Palestinian man near Tayasir by Israeli forces. The ongoing violence has resulted in over 1,100 Palestinian deaths and significant displacement since 2023, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.