Thousands perform first Ramadan Tarawih at Al-Aqsa amid heavy Israeli police presence

2026-02-18 - 06:22

Thousands of Palestinian worshippers gathered at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound Tuesday evening to perform the first Tarawih prayer of Ramadan, marking the beginning of the Muslim holy month amid a visible Israeli police presence across the site. Eyewitnesses reported worshippers filling both covered prayer halls and open courtyards, with Sheikh Yusuf Abu Sneineh, the mosque's preacher, leading the prayers. Security Measures and Restrictions Footage shared online showed Israeli police stationed inside the compound and moving among worshippers during the prayers. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor reported that Israeli restrictions across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have intensified ahead of Ramadan, affecting access to places of worship. According to the Jerusalem Governorate, more than 250 orders barring Palestinians from entering Al-Aqsa have been issued since the beginning of 2026. Ramadan Declaration and Rising Tensions Earlier Tuesday, Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Hussein announced the sighting of the Ramadan crescent, confirming Feb. 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan 1447. The prayers come amid heightened tensions in occupied East Jerusalem, where Israeli authorities have stepped up security measures, including arrests and temporary bans against religious figures. On Monday evening, police detained Al-Aqsa imam Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abbasi, releasing him with a renewable one-week ban from the mosque. Ongoing Conflict Context Since October 2023, Israel has intensified West Bank operations alongside its Gaza military campaign. Palestinians view the escalation—including killings, arrests, displacement, and settlement expansion—as preparation for formal annexation. The International Court of Justice declared Israel's occupation illegal in July 2024, calling for evacuation of all West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements.