Israel Expands Ban Orders Against Palestinians at Al-Aqsa During Ramadan

Al-Quds, MINA – Israeli occupation authorities have intensified their campaign of expulsion orders barring Palestinian residents of Jerusalem from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the Old City, in what Palestinian officials say is an escalating policy targeting worshippers ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

On Tuesday, new ban orders were issued against several Jerusalemites, including Bilal Sarhan from Silwan and Hatem Jaber al-Abbasi, each banned for six months. Former detainee Khaled al-Batal was also barred from entering the Old City for two weeks following his recent release from arrest.

In addition, Jerusalem-based journalist Maisa Abu Ghazaleh received formal notification of a six-month ban from Al-Aqsa. Other journalists, including Mohammed al-Sadiq and Saif al-Qawasmi, have also been handed similar six-month expulsion orders.

According to data from the Jerusalem Governorate, around 150 expulsion orders have been documented since the beginning of the year. Officials estimate that number could rise to between 200 and 300 as Ramadan approaches.

Read Also: Report Warns 1,500 Sick Palestinian Prisoners Face Medical Neglect in Israeli Jails

Authorities have increasingly used phone calls and electronic messaging to deliver ban notices, making it difficult for Palestinian institutions to track or document them systematically.

Over the past five years, Israeli authorities have issued approximately 2,630 expulsion orders, with nearly 300 issued in January alone. Many of these have been described as precautionary measures in the lead-up to Ramadan. The bans have targeted a wide range of individuals, including mosque guards, activists, journalists, imams, and community leaders.

While Israeli authorities claim the measures are necessary for security reasons, Palestinian officials argue the policy is designed to restrict worship, intimidate Palestinians, and silence those who document violations at the holy site during Ramadan.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)

Read Also: ICRC Chief Calls Gaza ‘Hell on Earth,’ Demands Medical Evacuations