Occupied Jerusalem — Israeli police have detained Sheikh Mohammed al-Abbasi, the imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, inside the mosque’s courtyards on Monday evening, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa citing local sources. No official reason was provided for the arrest.
The detention comes amid heightened Israeli measures at the holy site, including restrictions on imams, preachers, and worshippers, limits on entry, and increased incursions by settlers under heavy police protection.
Hamas strongly condemned the arrest in a statement on Tuesday, noting that Sheikh al-Abbasi had been issued a ban preventing him from entering the mosque. The movement described the actions as “blatant interference in Al-Aqsa’s affairs” and an “unacceptable assault on its religious leadership.”
Hamas further criticized what it called escalating violations by the Israeli government, including restricting worshippers’ access, blocking logistical preparations for Ramazan, and intensifying settler raids. The group described these measures as part of Israel’s ongoing efforts to control the mosque, Judaize its grounds, and impose spatial and temporal divisions.
The movement urged Palestinians across Jerusalem, the West Bank, and inside the 1948 territories to maintain their presence at Al-Aqsa, travel to the mosque, and resist actions aimed at altering its identity.
Hamas also called on the Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and other Arab and Islamic nations to take immediate steps to protect the mosque and pressure Israeli authorities to stop what they described as violations.
Tensions in Jerusalem, particularly around the Old City and the Al-Aqsa compound, have been rising due to increased Israeli security measures, including arrests and bans targeting religious figures and Palestinian activists. Israeli police announced plans to deploy heavily around the mosque during Ramazan, while Palestinian officials accused Israel of restricting access to the holy site.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians attend prayers at Al-Aqsa during Ramazan. The mosque, Islam’s third-holiest site, is located in East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in 1967 and later annexed. Under longstanding agreements, Jews may visit the compound but are prohibited from praying there.