News - Middle East: The Israeli regime has threatened to impose tougher restrictions on Muslim worshippers from visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied Old City of al-Quds during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

It comes amid Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip, where the number of people killed since October 7 now tops 30,000, most of them children.

Last month, Channel 13 reported that Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered restrictions on Palestinians from accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan, acting on the proposal of far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

With access to the holy site already limited for prayers, especially on Fridays, since October 7 when the regime launched its fresh aggression on Gaza, the move to impose tougher restrictions in Ramadan was deemed extremely provocative and dangerous by many observers and rights groups.

During Ramadan, the mosque becomes a focal point for Palestinian religious life and identity as thousands of worshippers gather in the vast courtyard of the third holiest site in Islam.

Al Aqsa, which represents a symbol of Palestine’s faith, identity, history and resistance, has been turned into a flashpoint by the Israeli regime in recent years by targeting Palestinian worshippers.

Ben-Gvir, known for his hawkish rhetoric and hate-filled politics, had called for a blanket ban on Palestinian Muslims from visiting Al Aqsa mosque during the upcoming holy month.

Ben-Gvir proposed a plan in the war cabinet to prohibit Muslim worshippers from the occupied territories and the West Bank from entering Al Aqsa mosque during the month of Ramadan.

A staunch supporter and follower of the Zionist mass murderer Baruch Goldstein, who massacred 29 Palestinians at the Ibrahimi mosque in 1994, Ben-Gvir recommended that only Palestinians from occupied territories above the age of 70 should be allowed into the mosque during Ramadan.

The decision, however, faced opposition from the Shin Bet, the regime’s internal police outfit, warning the ban could exacerbate tensions.

Last week, Israel's Channel 12 reported the Israeli war cabinet will decide the Al-Aqsa Mosque restrictions during Ramadan, not ruling out Ben-Gvir’s proposal, even after sidelining him.

Source: Press TV