Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right National Security Minister of Israel, has toured the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem and conducted prayers there, breaching a long-standing agreement related to one of the most contentious locations in the Middle East.
Images and recordings of his visit depict Ben-Gvir leading Jewish prayers at the compound, referred to by Jews as the Temple Mount, situated in occupied East Jerusalem.
Praying at this location contravenes a longstanding policy that permits Jews to visit but prohibits them from praying.
The office of the Israeli prime minister issued a statement asserting that there had been no modification to Israel's approach of upholding the status quo agreement, which designates the site exclusively for Muslim worship.
Jordan, which serves as the custodian of the site, described Ben-Gvir's recent visit as "an unacceptable provocation."
Hamas characterized it as "a significant escalation of the ongoing aggressions against our Palestinian people," while a representative for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas remarked that the visit "crossed all red lines."
The site holds the utmost significance for Jews, as it was the location of two ancient temples, while for Muslims, it is the third holiest site, believed to be where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.
Israel acquired the site from Jordan during the 1967 Middle East conflict. Following the status quo, Jordan retains its historical custodianship, while Israel manages security and access.
Palestinians accuse Israel of taking measures to disrupt the established arrangements, noting that in recent times, Jewish visitors have frequently been observed praying without intervention from Israeli police.
The Waqf, the Islamic endowment responsible for the site, reported that Ben-Gvir was among 1,250 Jews who visited the compound on Sunday morning.
Ben-Gvir, an ultra-nationalist who oversees the police as national security minister, has previously visited the site, but according to the Times of Israel, this marks the first instance in which he publicly prayed there.
He was accompanied by police officers while entering and touring the area.
In a statement at the location, Ben-Gvir remarked that the "horror" video recently released by Hamas, showing hostages in a malnourished state, was intended to exert pressure on Israel, and he called for their release.
The minister reiterated his appeal for Israel to take control of the entire Gaza Strip and to promote what he referred to as "voluntary emigration" of Palestinians from the region.
Experts argue that this would constitute the forced displacement of civilians and could be classified as a war crime.
He has been subjected to sanctions by the UK for "repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities" in the occupied West Bank.
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