Al-Qalam 
The occupation authorities have opened the gates of Masjid al-Aqsa and the surrounding sacred sites after 40 days of closure.
At the same time, so-called “Temple groups” have already begun calling their supporters to take part in incursions into Masjid al-Aqsa, alongside announcing extended incursion hours.
This announcement needs to be understood clearly:
The Masjid is being opened to both Muslims and settlers alike. It was not opened on Wednesday evening, despite the ceasefire announcement, so that Muslims do not experience an exclusive return to Masjid al-Aqsa
The timing coincides with the final day of the Hebrew Passover, which will be used to stage scenes presented as “victory” and to escalate violations. Heavy restrictions on worshippers are expected.
Incursion hours have now been extended to 6:30 am – 11:30 am and 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm.
This marks their longest duration yet, increasing from three hours in 2008 to six and a half hours today in 2026.
This is part of a long-term trajectory. Settler incursions into Masjid al-Aqsa began in 2003, with fixed timings introduced in 2008. Since then, these hours have steadily expanded. The stated aim is clear: to enforce a “time division” where access to Masjid al-Aqsa is split equally between Muslim worshippers and settler incursions.
The threat of sacrificial offerings has not gone away. In fact, today ( Friday) carries an even greater risk, with likely renewed attempts to bring offerings into the Masjid or as close to it as possible.
A new reality is being reinforced. Even before Ramadan, incursions would begin at 7:00 am. During Ramadan, this was pushed earlier to 6:30 am. Indications now suggest this earlier timing will be fixed and continued.
The Israeli “Home Front Command” has declared that activities will resume from 6:00 am, reinforcing a shift where authority over opening and closing Masjid al-Aqsa is being removed from the Islamic Waqf, despite it being the sole legitimate authority responsible for Masjid al-Aqsa.
There will likely be intensified filming and documentation of the incursions, used as propaganda to project “control” and to normalise a dominant settler presence within Masjid al-Aqsa.
So this is an opening designed to expand incursions and impose a new reality on Masjid al-Aqsa.
This is a new phase of escalation and violation.
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ أَنْ يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ وَسَعَىٰ فِي خَرَابِهَا
“And who are more unjust than those who prevent the Name of Allah from being mentioned in His Masjids and strive towards their ruin… [Al-Baqarah]
احْفَظِ اللَّهَ يَحْفَظْكَ
“Guard and preserve what is sacred to Allah, and He will guard and preserve you.” [Sunan at-Tirmidhi]
Palestine Activist
