- Written by Yolande Nel
- BBC News, Jerusalem
The elusive ceasefire has renewed concerns that violence could spread, particularly in Jerusalem, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Hamas reiterated its call to Palestinians to step up visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israel accused Hamas of trying to “incite the region during Ramadan,” which begins in the next few days.
The third holiest shrine in Islam is a place of worship for local Muslims.
But the site is also Judaism's holiest site, also known as the Temple Mount, and is often a flashpoint during escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.
Ramadan is scheduled to begin on March 10th or 11th, depending on the sighting of the new moon.
The al-Aqsa courtyard I visited this week was calm, but war was on the minds of Palestinian worshipers.
“People are not in the mood to celebrate and enjoy normal Ramadan traditions,” said one woman, Ayat, sadly. “Plans will not go ahead this year because of what is happening in Gaza.”
Hopes that a 40-day ceasefire could take effect by the start of Ramadan have faded, but Egyptian sources say mediators will meet again with a Hamas delegation on Sunday to try to reach an agreement. contract With Israel.
Israel announced on Saturday that its spy chief had met with his American counterpart as it continues efforts to free dozens of hostages.
Later, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying Hamas was “holding its ground” as if it were “not interested in an agreement.”
A framework plan being discussed would see the release of some Israeli hostages taken in a deadly Hamas attack on October 7 in exchange for increased Palestinian prisoners and aid, as the United Nations warns of famine. will be done.
“This year's Ramadan will be difficult,” Abu Nader, who was following the news, said as he crossed Al-Aqsa on his mobility scooter. “This year's Ramadan is going to be difficult. I thought about how I was going to break my daily fast while thinking about my fellow Gazans. Would you like to eat?” he commented.
“We pray to God for better times.”
Israeli police are constantly scattered around the vast Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, with officers stationed at all gates to control access.
The site has become a prominent symbol of the broader Palestinian struggle since Israel seized, occupied and annexed East Jerusalem, including this part of the Old City, from Jordan during the 1967 Middle East war.
In 2000, then-Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon's visit to the top of the sacred hill was seen as a key trigger for the second Palestinian uprising, which Palestinians called the “Al-Aqsa Intifada.” .
There are frequent clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian worshipers here, especially during Ramadan.
Tensions also rise every time Israeli nationalists march in the Old City. This is in response to demands from Israel's far right to change the country's long-established and highly sensitive religious status quo rules, which allow Jewish visitors but not Jewish prayers. .
In May 2021, tensions in Jerusalem escalated and violence erupted in Al-Aqsa. Hamas then fired rockets into Jerusalem, sparking a brief war in Gaza and widespread unrest between Jews and Arab Israelis.
Last year, when Ramadan coincided with the Jewish holiday of Passover, reports emerged that Jewish extremists were planning to perform a ritual goat sacrifice on the Temple Mount.
Unable to trust Israeli police to stop them, hundreds of Muslims barricaded themselves in al-Aqsa, and stun grenades were used against them.
Ramadan this year does not overlap with any major Jewish holidays.
How this Ramadan unfolds will largely depend on events in Gaza and the restrictions imposed by Israel.
Israel's far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir has called for strict restrictions on Muslim Israeli nationals' access to al-Aqsa, a move Hamas has made as Israeli hostages remain held captive in Gaza. He said this was to prevent people from “celebrating their victories.”
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has now rejected the plan. He said worshipers would be allowed into mosques as before during the first week of Ramadan, and the security situation would be reassessed weekly.
It is not yet clear what numbers will be allowed access to the site.
During the Gaza war, Israel has largely blocked Palestinians from the West Bank from entering Jerusalem. Tens of thousands of people typically pass through Israeli military checkpoints during this holy month to attend Friday prayers.
Israeli government spokesman Eilon Levy insisted the right decision would be made to protect freedom of religion.
“Ramadan presents many opportunities for extremist elements to try to incite and incite violence, and we are working to stop that,” he told the BBC.
“As always, we will continue to facilitate access to the Temple Mount for worship and make clear that this is our policy, and of course we will stand against those who seek to disturb the peace.” is.”
Next to the golden Dome of the Rock, I see Imam Mustafa Abu Sway, a member of the Islamic Waqf Council that administers Al-Aqsa Mosque or Haram Al-Sharif (also known as Haram Al-Sharif). I met Dr.
“A few years ago, Israel allowed almost anyone who wanted to enter from the West Bank without a single incident,” the academic said.
“People come to worship. They are not coming to disturb the peace. If the Israeli police and security forces leave them alone, then hopefully everything will be fine.”
This year, more than ever, the world will be scrutinizing what is really happening in Jerusalem.