Escalation of summonses and expulsion orders from Al-Aqsa Mosque as Ramadan approaches
As Ramadan approaches, the campaign of summonses and expulsion orders from the Al-Aqsa Mosque continues, as part of a broader campaign targeting young men, women, and boys, along with employees of the Islamic Endowment Department, journalists, and released prisoners.
Recently, several Jerusalem residents were summoned by the Israeli occupation police to the Al-Qishla police station in the Old City of Jerusalem. They received expulsion orders from the Al-Aqsa Mosque, with durations varying from one week to longer, and some orders included a requirement to return later for potential renewal.
In a notable development, multiple residents of Jerusalem received expulsion notices from the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound through WhatsApp messages sent from numbers associated with intelligence agencies. The messages, titled “Expulsion from Al-Aqsa,” include the complete order text, specifying the person's name, ID number, and the length of the expulsion.
Recently, this method has emerged as another way to inform Jerusalem residents of expulsion orders, alongside the ongoing delivery of similar orders after summons to the Qishla police station in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Targeted groups and names of those expelled
The expulsion orders included Endowment employees, released prisoners, and Jerusalemite activists, among them:
The expulsion orders targeted released prisoners and Islamic Endowment staff. Mohammad al-Dabbagh and Hamza Khalaf, both members of the Islamic Endowment Department, each received a one-week expulsion order, renewable for several months. Similarly, released prisoners Jihad Qaws and Wissam Castero were also affected. Castero, who spent 10 years in Israeli prisons and was released last August, continues to be barred from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque since his release.
The occupation authorities also issued four-month expulsion orders for released prisoners Abdul Rahman Aweis and Hamza Abu Hadwan.
Meanwhile, six-month deportation orders were issued to several released prisoners, including Kifah Sarhan, Arin Za’anin, Suhaib Afana, Mohammad Musa Al-Abbasi, Tariq Sa’adeh Abbasi, Ibrahim Al-Abbasi, Musa Abu Tayeh, Sami Abu Al-Halawa, Obaida Al-Taweel, Amer Bazlameet, and Mamoun Al-Razem.
Summoning of activist Khadija Khweis
In the same context, Israeli intelligence summoned Jerusalem-based activist Khadija Khweis for questioning on charges of "inciting female students to flock to and attend the Al-Aqsa Mosque."
Khweis was subjected to hours of questioning before her release, which was conditional on her avoiding the Old City for 14 days and signing a 2,000 shekels financial guarantee. She must return for additional questioning on March 8, 2026, to renew her ban from the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Khadija Khweis has been prohibited from entering the West Bank, communicating with Palestinian figures, and has been banned from the Al-Aqsa Mosque for years. She is also restricted from traveling.
