Ben-Gvir joins hundreds of Israelis to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

Palestinian worship at Jerusalem's Al‑Aqsa Mosque faces a direct challenge as Israeli nationalist minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir led hundreds of Israeli participants into the compound, an incursion reported by Al Jazeera. Declaring 'We are the masters here', Ben‑Gvir signaled an attempt to expand Jewish presence on the contested Temple Mount, a move that could curtail Palestinian religious access while bolstering hard‑line Israeli claims to the site.

Later that day Hamas commemorated the Al‑Aqsa Intifada anniversary, urging Arab and Muslim audiences to intensify support for Palestinians, while its spokesperson described Israeli actions as 'paving the way for total control' of the holy site. In a parallel development, police shut several Palestinian‑owned shops in Jerusalem's Muslim Quarter to accommodate Jewish prayer services, a step noted by Haaretz that further limited Palestinian commercial activity in the area.

Hamas continues to call for broader Arab and Muslim support, framing the events as part of an ongoing struggle for control. Observers note that the closure of shops and the assertion of 'mastery' have intensified tensions, and regional media are tracking the evolving dynamics as both sides reinforce their positions.