The 14th incursion since he took office – Ben-Gvir storms Al-Aqsa Mosque
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday afternoon, heavily guarded and accompanied by senior Israeli police officers.
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Jerusalem reported that 74 settlers stormed the mosque compound during the morning and afternoon incursions, entering through the Dung Gate, the keys to which have been controlled by Israeli authorities since the occupation of Jerusalem. Among those who stormed the mosque was the National Security Minister.
During the incursion, settlers held public prayers in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, while singing and provocative dancing disrupted the area, blatantly violating its sanctity amidst restrictions on Muslim worshippers.
This marks Ben-Gvir's first incursion into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in 2026. The Wadi Hilweh Information Center previously recorded his entry on January 13, 2026. Since taking office in early 2023, Ben-Gvir has repeatedly stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque, with this being the 14th documented incident, according to the center.
• 3 incursions during 2023
• 4 incursions during 2024
• 6 incursions during 2025
This escalation occurs within a broader policy designed to impose new realities in the Al-Aqsa Mosque and change the existing status quo, especially through the actions of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. These actions include not only his physical entry into Al-Aqsa but also threatening official statements and stances.
Ben-Gvir's incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque pose a danger, especially due to his public statements and decisions made during or after these events, which lead to a noticeable increase in violations inside the mosque.
In June 2025, Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and openly called for settlers to be permitted to pray freely throughout the mosque. This led to a visible increase in public prayers and rituals within Al-Aqsa.
The center also pointed out that Ben-Gvir announced in August 2024, on the anniversary of the so-called 'Destruction of the Temple,' his plan to establish a Jewish synagogue within the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex. He claimed this as asserting 'the right of Jews to pray inside it' and rejected any restrictions on settler incursions. Since then, these incursions have increased, and prayers have shifted from private acts to public, collective rituals performed under the protection of occupation police.
