Al-Aqsa Mosque Remains Under Siege for Eighth Day Citing Iran Threat

On Friday, March 6, 2026—the third Friday of Ramadan—Israeli police barred all Palestinian worshippers from entering the holy site for prayers. While authorities cited emergency protocols and the risk of missile fire, Palestinians have condemned the move as a "premeditated deception" and a calculated attempt to further the "Judaization" of the compound.

Footage circulating on social media showed the Al-Aqsa courtyards eerily silent and empty during what is typically one of the busiest days of the Islamic holy month. Despite the early morning call to prayer, no worshippers were permitted to enter. Conversely, reports indicate that far-right Jewish religious institutions and gatherings within Jerusalem have continued to operate normally. Palestinian activists argue that the Netanyahu government is exploiting security concerns to establish long-term control over the site by emptying it of its Muslim presence. While limited access was granted to approximately 10,000 worshippers during the first two Fridays of Ramadan, this latest measure marks the first total closure of the mosque for Friday prayers in recent memory.