{"id":98574,"date":"2025-06-23T11:59:50","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T09:59:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/?p=98574"},"modified":"2025-06-23T11:59:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T09:59:50","slug":"palestine-report-israel-reinstates-al-aqsa-closure-amid-escalating-iran-conflict-and-gaza-siege","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/palestine-report-israel-reinstates-al-aqsa-closure-amid-escalating-iran-conflict-and-gaza-siege\/","title":{"rendered":"Palestine Report: Israel reinstates Al-Aqsa closure amid escalating Iran conflict and Gaza siege"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
\n23 June 2025 | 12:00 CAT
\n4-minute read<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

During this week\u2019s 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\u2019s politically motivated shutdown of the holy site.<\/p>\n

\u201cNetanyahu is\u2026 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,\u201d Moulana Moosa said.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2014over 80%<\/strong> of Jewish Israelis now back the strike. Notably, major opposition figures like Avigdor\u202fLieberman, Benny\u202fGantz, and Yair\u202fLapid have publicly supported Netanyahu’s decision on Iran, subordinating party rivalry to national security concerns.<\/p>\n

The dramatic turnaround in Israeli public opinion reflects a pattern where external threats catalyse unity\u2014even elevating previously unpopular leaders. Analysts suggest this may be shaped by Israeli-aligned media framing and high levels of information control.<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s remarks about fulfilling his promise to Israeli citizens following America\u2019s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have been labelled myopic. \u201c[He knows] that is not the end- potentially- of Iran\u2019s 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\u2019s existence,\u201d Moulana Moosa remarked.<\/p>\n

He added, \u201c[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.<\/p>\n

Strategically, some observers acknowledge Netanyahu\u2019s 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\u2019s political project and personal ambitions.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s sidelining of unresolved issues, such as Israeli prisoners of war in Gaza, could resurface with destabilising consequences.<\/p>\n

As global attention pivots to Israel\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody’s talking about Israel and Iran,\u201d Musa said, \u201cbut in Gaza, as one Palestinian writes, \u2018we remain trapped in a brutal siege, starving and struggling to survive heavy bombardment.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Citing figures from Gaza\u2019s Civil Defence, Moulana Moosa detailed a harrowing week:<\/p>\n