Israel Arrests Al-Aqsa Mosque Imam Ahead of Ramadan

February 18, 2026 | 03:22 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israeli police on Monday night arrested the imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Mohammed al-Abbasi, in the mosque compound in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem.

According to a report by WAFA, cited by Anadolu, Israeli forces detained Sheikh al-Abbasi inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound without providing a reason for his arrest. This arrest comes amid increased Israeli restrictions on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

WAFA mentioned that the arrest occurred amidst the escalating measures by Israel against the Al-Aqsa Mosque, acknowledged by Jews as their holy site.

"Including restrictions on imams, preachers and worshippers stationed there, limitations on the entry of worshippers, and intensifying incursions carried out by settlers under heavy protection from Israeli police," the report stated.

Ban from Entering the Mosque Compound

Meanwhile, as reported by TRT World, a few hours before his arrest, the Israeli authorities banned al-Abbasi from entering the mosque compound for one week. This order could be extended.

Al-Abbasi had previously stated that he was not informed of the reason for the ban. He described the step as very distressing, especially after just returning to his duties following a year-long recovery from a serious car accident.

These restrictions come as preparations for Ramadan prayers intensify. During Ramadan, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian residents usually gather at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is the third-holiest site in Islam.

Condemnation from Hamas

On Tuesday, Hamas condemned al-Abbasi's arrest. In its statement, Hamas stated that al-Abbasi had been given an order prohibiting him from entering the mosque. Hamas considered this step to be blatant interference in Al-Aqsa's affairs and an unacceptable attack on its imams.

Hamas also stated that the increasing violations by the fascist occupation government against the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, imposition of access restrictions on worshipers, and prevention of logistical preparations during Ramadan.

"The intensification of raids by settler groups are dangerous interventions that fall within its persistent attempts to control and Judaize the mosque, restrict freedom of worship there, and impose temporal and spatial division," they said.

Additionally, Hamas called on the Palestinian people in Jerusalem, across the West Bank, and in the 1948 territories to remain at Al-Aqsa and maintain their presence.

Hamas also urged the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as well as Arab and Islamic countries to take urgent action through all possible channels to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque from the danger of Judaization and to take practical steps to pressure the occupation and force it to stop its violations.

Occupied East Jerusalem, particularly the Old City and the vicinity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, has reportedly experienced increased tensions amid tightened Israeli security measures, including the arrest and imposition of bans on religious figures and Palestinian residents in Jerusalem.

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