“Jerusalem Day” in the Hebrew calendar - widespread incursions into Al-Aqsa and a flag march isolate the city
Tens of thousands of settlers rushed into Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the eve of the 59th anniversary of East Jerusalem's occupation, according to the Hebrew calendar. This day, known as "Jerusalem Day," is celebrated by Israel as marking the occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967.
Scenes of settlers in Jerusalem's streets, alleyways, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque evoked Palestinians' memories of the city's occupation day: Israeli flags everywhere, settlers dancing, singing, and conducting group prayers. The Al-Aqsa Mosque area saw public prayers, chanting, and flags raised, while neighborhoods like the Old City and Damascus Gate turned into key gathering spots for settlers.
A large-scale "compensatory incursion" into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, conducted with official backing and strict restrictions on Muslims
During the morning and afternoon incursions, 1,490 settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque via the Dung Gate. Of these, 694 entered in the morning and 796 in the afternoon. The occupation authorities have controlled the keys to this gate since they occupied Jerusalem in 1967.
Among the intruders were Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Knesset member Ariel Kellner of the Likud party, and Yitzhak Kroeser of the Otzma Yehudit party.
During the incursions, settlers displayed Israeli flags, sang the Israeli national anthem, and conducted group and public prayers across different courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, especially in its eastern section near the Bab al-Rahma prayer area.
One settler placed an Israeli flag on the wall of the Bab al-Rahma prayer area after climbing the eastern wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque and approaching the prayer space. The courtyards also hosted groups engaging in dancing and singing, along with a collective "epic prostration."
Ben Gvir led a group of settlers in collective prayers in the eastern part of Al-Aqsa, then joined circles of dancing and singing. When they reached the western portico, he raised the Israeli flag while chanting, "The Temple Mount is in our hands." Afterwards, Ben Gvir performed prayers and carried prayer sheets with him.
Ben Gvir has repeatedly stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque since taking office in early 2023, making this his 17th time storming Al-Aqsa. In August 2024, he declared plans to establish a Jewish synagogue in the eastern section of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which later became a site for daily and public prayers by settlers. The year 2025 saw an increase in group prayers at Al-Aqsa under his influence, before police permitted the entry of prayer materials with Temple Mount slogans in early 2026.
Since dawn, the occupation authorities have imposed strict restrictions on worshippers' entry to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, preventing most from entering and allowing only a small number of elderly people to do so. During the afternoon, until the incursions ended, young men and women were barred from entering the mosque, and seating in the courtyards was restricted to the elderly.
It is noteworthy that this day was marked as a "comparative incursion" to commemorate the occupation of East Jerusalem, as per the Hebrew calendar. Dozens of Israelis, including ministers and Knesset members, urged for the Al-Aqsa Mosque to be opened on Friday, the "anniversary day," or late Thursday night, for incursions into the mosque.
The Flag March moves through the Old City... featuring drums, dances, and the expulsion of Palestinians from Jerusalem
In the afternoon, small settler marches started across the Old City, at the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and in neighborhoods like Wadi al-Joz, al-Sowaneh, al-Tur, and Silwan.
In the afternoon, the main "Flag March” began in West Jerusalem, heading east through the New Gate, then Damascus Gate and al-Wad Street, arriving at the Al-Buraq Wall. Additional groups took routes via Lions' Gate and Dung Gate to reach the same area for celebrations and prayers. The marches were lively, filled with singing, dancing, drumming, and loudspeaker announcements. Large banners with slogans about Al-Aqsa Mosque, such as "This is not Al-Aqsa... this is the Temple' and "The Temple is in our hands," along with other provocative slogans, were prominently displayed.
Settlers also waved Israeli flags and flags with symbols of the alleged "Temple," and many wore shirts featuring its symbols and slogans.
Participants in the marches shouted racist slogans targeting Arabs, yelled insults and profanities, and made offensive remarks about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Vehicle and truck convoys equipped with loudspeakers also traveled through neighborhoods surrounding the Old City, such as Sheikh Jarrah, Wadi al-Joz, al-Sowaneh, al-Tur, and Ras al-Amoud, accompanied by loud singing and chanting, along with significant road closures.
The Damascus Gate area and nearby streets seemed empty of Palestinians after police barred them from being there, sitting on its steps, or passing through, forcibly removing anyone present.
Jerusalem activist Mohammad Abu al-Hummus stated, "They claim to demonstrate Jerusalem's unity today, but the events reveal otherwise. They attempt to force unity, but where is democracy when a Palestinian is barred from sitting on Damascus Gate's steps? Jerusalem is Palestinian and Arab, and it always will be."
Israeli forces also removed Hajja Nafisa Khweis and Nitham Abu Rammouz from the Old City and stopped them from remaining stationed at the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Military checkpoints isolate the Old City
From the afternoon through the evening, Israeli police cordoned off the streets around the Old City, setting up iron barriers and barricades, and deploying a large troop presence across the area. This occurred alongside the Flag March and incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Restrictions imposed by the forces limited Palestinians' movement and travel between neighborhoods in Jerusalem, especially near the Old City's gates. The area experienced searches and identity checks, leading to many streets and squares being cleared of Palestinians.
Attacks on Palestinians and shops
Settlers assaulted shop owners in the Old City, vandalizing merchandise, banging violently on shop doors, and smashing the contents of some stores.
Police also forced shop owners to close their stores at noon, coinciding with the start of the Flag March.
They also assaulted residents in the town of Silwan during incursions into the area and the performance of prayers and celebrations.
