Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
23 June 2025 | 12:00 CAT
4-minute read

On Sunday morning, Israeli forces reinstated the full closure of Masjid Al-Aqsa in occupied East Jerusalem, limiting the entry of worshippers except for masjid guards and Islamic Waqf staff.

Israeli police raided the masjid on Saturday night, vandalising sacred spaces, storming prayer halls and forcibly removing worshippers. Additionally, Israeli policemen arrested four masjid guards and interrogated others on-site.

During this week’s Palestine Report, Moulana Ebrahim Moosa noted that the matter is not receiving adequate coverage and attention, and stressed the importance of focusing on the regime’s politically motivated shutdown of the holy site.

“Netanyahu is… showing that Israelis want to impose full sovereignty over Masjid Al-Aqsa and they have been treating Masjid Al-Aqsa as a synagogue because of the religious rituals that are performed by Jewish settlers inside Masjid Al-Aqsa,” Moulana Moosa said.

This follows remarks made last year by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in which he expressed his desire to build a Jewish synagogue at the Al-Aqsa compound in occupied East Jerusalem if given the opportunity.

Analysts warn that Israel may be using the ongoing war with Iran to provoke Tehran into attacking Al-Aqsa by feeding them false intelligence about a ‘secret IDF base’ beneath the masjid. This warning is supported by the resurfacing of a video in which Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi urged Israeli officials last year to strike Al-Aqsa Masjid with a missile and falsely blame Iran for the attack.

Israel’s military action against Iran has dramatically shifted domestic sentiment. While critics had previously condemned Netanyahu for his handling of the Gaza war, the Iran operation has garnered widespread approval—over 80% of Jewish Israelis now back the strike. Notably, major opposition figures like Avigdor Lieberman, Benny Gantz, and Yair Lapid have publicly supported Netanyahu’s decision on Iran, subordinating party rivalry to national security concerns.

The dramatic turnaround in Israeli public opinion reflects a pattern where external threats catalyse unity—even elevating previously unpopular leaders. Analysts suggest this may be shaped by Israeli-aligned media framing and high levels of information control.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks about fulfilling his promise to Israeli citizens following America’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have been labelled myopic. “[He knows] that is not the end- potentially- of Iran’s nuclear programme. These words are almost as if it is something Netanyahu had prepared for for years, because for years he had portrayed the Iranian nuclear project as the most serious threat to Israel’s existence,” Moulana Moosa remarked.

He added, “[Netanyahu has been] promoring it domestically, internationally at the UN, and inflating it at every opportunity until it became the cornerstone of his political discourse and election campaign.

Strategically, some observers acknowledge Netanyahu’s ability to exploit timing and opportunity throughout his career, often advancing bold moves at critical moments. This latest development appears to be the culmination of that strategy. With former US President Donald Trump supporting Netanyahu in this operation, some view this moment as the pinnacle of Netanyahu’s political project and personal ambitions.

However, analysts warn that euphoria at the top often precedes a steep fall. There is concern that if Iran avoids drastic measures, such as closing the Strait of Hormuz, and instead opts for a prolonged war of attrition, Israel may face long-term economic and societal strain. Additionally, Netanyahu’s sidelining of unresolved issues, such as Israeli prisoners of war in Gaza, could resurface with destabilising consequences.

As global attention pivots to Israel’s confrontation with Iran, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza deepens. Moulana Moosa highlighted the continued siege and bombardment of Gaza, which has led to a sharp rise in civilian casualties.

“Everybody’s talking about Israel and Iran,” Musa said, “but in Gaza, as one Palestinian writes, ‘we remain trapped in a brutal siege, starving and struggling to survive heavy bombardment.’”

Citing figures from Gaza’s Civil Defence, Moulana Moosa detailed a harrowing week:

• Monday: 20 Palestinians killed while waiting for food.
• Tuesday: 80 killed and hundreds injured at US-run food distribution centres.
• Wednesday: 33 killed across Gaza, including aid seekers.
• Thursday: 72 killed, 21 of them gathering for food.
• Friday: 60 killed, including 31 Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid.

At least 265 Palestinians were killed in Gaza last week alone. Moulana Moosa underscored the words of a Palestinian survivor: “Hunger is killing us slowly in Gaza. For Gaza, the world has already ended.”

There are growing fears that as Israel integrates Gaza into its broader war narrative against Iran, the world may increasingly turn away. Palestinians warn that by the time global attention returns, it may already be too late for Gaza.

The Palestine Report concluded with a prayer for the triumph of truth and the protection of oppressed communities worldwide.

Listen to the Palestine Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Moulana Ebrahim Moosa.