Israel seals off Al-Aqsa Mosque, banning worshippers from visiting Jerusalem's holy sites for the first time

Against the backdrop of the escalating conflict with Iran, Israel has taken an unprecedented step — it has sealed off the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, banning Muslim believers from visiting the holy places of the city for the first time in recent years. This decision provoked widespread condemnation and concerns about the deeper and more dangerous motives of the Israeli authorities.

Israel has previously imposed restrictions on Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, allowing only men over 55, women over 50, and children under 10 to enter, as well as requiring special permits for Palestinians arriving from the West Bank. This year, the measures were tightened: the mosque was completely sealed off and access to it was prohibited, which was an unprecedented step.

The Palestinian Hamas movement strongly condemned the ban, calling it part of a "systematic plan to Judaize" Jerusalem's holy sites and calling on Palestinians to resist the restrictions and continue to attend the mosque. The imam of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Ikrim Sabri, was also subjected to administrative bans on visiting the holy place, but announced his intention not to comply with these measures.

The international community has expressed concern about the growing tension around Al-Aqsa, given its important religious significance for Muslims around the world. The Israeli actions are seen as a provocation capable of provoking further escalation of the conflict in the region.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest shrine in Islam, located in East Jerusalem, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967. Control of this place is one of the key factors in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In recent years, Israel has regularly imposed restrictions on mosque visits, especially during holy periods for Muslims, which causes mass protests and clashes.

Israel destroys an airstrip in Syria: a step against Turkish influence

Places of destruction after Israeli strikes

Tensions between Israel and Turkey have reached a new high amid the events in Syria. The Israeli military has taken an unexpected step by destroying the runway of the T4 strategic airfield in central Syria. This airfield, which has long remained a key target for various parties to the conflict, could become an object of interest to Turkey. The destruction of the infrastructure was a demonstrative signal to Ankara that Jerusalem intends to maintain control over the situation in the region.

The T4 airfield is important both for military operations in Syria and for providing access to the country's airspace. Israel is particularly concerned that the expansion of Turkish influence in the region may limit its ability to conduct operations at its discretion. For Israel, control of Syrian airspace remains part of its security strategy related to countering Iran and its allies.

Turkey, in turn, is actively promoting its interests in Syria, seeking to strengthen the positions of its allies and expand its zone of influence. The potential seizure of the T4 airfield could be an important step for Ankara, which probably prompted Israel to take decisive action. The destruction of the runway effectively deprives Turkey of the opportunity to use this facility in the near future.

Experts point out that the growing tensions between Israel and Turkey may lead to new conflicts of interests in the region. Although official comments from Ankara remain restrained so far, it is obvious that the situation requires careful monitoring.