Israel to allow same numbers into Al-Aqsa during start of Ramadan as in previous years

Israel will allow a similar number of worshippers into Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the first week of Ramadan as in previous years, a statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Tuesday, without specifying a number.

With war raging in Gaza, Israel said it may limit access to the holy site during the Muslim fasting month, citing security needs. Many Palestinians reject any such restrictions.

Al-Aqsa, one of the holiest sites in the world for Muslims, sits on a hilltop in Jerusalem’s Old City in a compound also revered by Jews as a vestige of their two ancient temples.

Israel captured the site in the 1967 Middle East war and illegally annexed it with the rest of East Jerusalem, which Palestinians want as the capital of an independent state.

Israeli police raids, visits by Jewish officials and restrictions on Palestinian access to the site have been a source of friction in the past, particularly during holidays including Ramadan, which begins this year on or around March 10.

Tuesday’s decision came in agreement with top Israeli security officials during a meeting on preparations ahead of Ramadan, the statement said.