Israel closes Al-Aqsa for Muslims amid mass settler raids and ‘Flag March’

Israeli forces blocked Palestinian Muslims from accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque on Thursday and facilitated raids by approximately 800 ultranationalist Israeli settlers ahead of the "Flag March" through occupied East Jerusalem's Old City, with worshippers reportedly assaulted and age-restricted entry imposed. The incursions, which included government ministers and MPs, violated the internationally recognized status quo designating Al-Aqsa as an exclusively Muslim place of worship, with further raids threatened for Friday amid calls from Israeli coalition members to expand access during Jerusalem Day celebrations.