Israel shuts Al-Aqsa Mosque and bans Ramadan prayer for third consecutive day

Israel has closed the Al-Aqsa Mosque for the third consecutive day, preventing Palestinian Muslims from praying at the site during the holy month of Ramadan. The closure was implemented under a state of emergency following the start of a war with Iran. Palestinian officials and the Islamic Waqf, which administers the site, have condemned the move as an unprecedented violation aimed at consolidating Israeli control over the occupied East Jerusalem holy site. The restrictions have also barred many Waqf employees and have been described as an effort to empty the mosque of worshippers. This action has intensified fears that Israel is exploiting security tensions to permanently change the status quo at the mosque.