Researcher: Extended al-Aqsa incursions during Ramadan paves way for further expansions after Holy Month
Maqdeseyan researcher Ziad Abhais confirmed on Wednesday that Israeli occupation authorities began escalating their measures inside al-Aqsa Mosque from the very first hours of Ramadan by adjusting the daily incursions, a move he considered a prelude to broader changes after the end of the holy month.
In an interview with the Palestinian news agency Shihab, Abhais pointed out that the incursions during Ramadan had remained stable in previous years at four hours daily, from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM. However, this year the occupation police decided to extend the period to five hours daily, from 6:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
Al-Quds researcher revealed that this increase is not merely a temporary measure related to Ramadan, but rather indicates intentions to expand the incursions later, in line with previous pledges made by the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice to Temple Mount organizations. These pledges included the creation of an evening incursion period after the afternoon prayer and official working hours to accommodate larger numbers of intruders.
He stated that the times of incursions on ordinary days have gradually evolved in recent years, becoming divided into two periods: a morning period from 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM, and an afternoon period from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM.
He affirmed that the Israeli enemy government, in cooperation with Temple Mount organizations, seeks to gradually increase these hours after Ramadan, within what he described as “time parity,” allocating equal hours for incursions and for Muslim prayers inside Al-Aqsa Mosque, while simultaneously closing the mosque at night.
He pointed out that these plans are not new, as laws were previously proposed in 2012 and 2013 to reorganize the times of entry to the mosque in a way that serves this vision.
At the end of his speech, Abhais stressed that the month of Ramadan represents an important milestone for strengthening the Palestinian and Islamic presence in al-Aqsa Mosque, calling for increased support and attention to Jerusalem and the holy sites during this month, in light of escalating attempts to impose a new reality within the Al-Aqsa compound.