Al-Aqsa Mosque reopened after 40-day closure

Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem reopened to Muslim worshippers on Thursday, concluding a 40-day closure imposed by Israeli authorities since February 28. Hundreds of Palestinian worshippers expressed deep emotion as they returned for collective prayers, marking the first such gathering in weeks. This event underscores the ongoing political and religious tensions, as Jerusalem is a central holy site for Palestinians, who seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state, while Israel claims the entire city. The closure notably saw Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir enter the compound and marked the first time Eid al-Fitr prayers were barred at the mosque since Israel's occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967.