The Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered the third holiest place in Islam. Israeli security forces attacked Palestinians who wanted to enter the mosque on September 17, 2023, before the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. To put an end to the conflict, the UN has passed several resolutions calling for the return of the Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslim control.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered the third holiest place in Islam, after the Masjid Al-Haram (Mecca), and the Masjid-e-Nabvi (The Prophet’s Mosque).
Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City is crucial to the Israel-Palestine conflict, as religious and geopolitical factors make it important. The mosque has sparked Israeli-Palestinian tensions.
In Jerusalem’s Old City, Jews call Har ha-Bayit the Temple Mount and al-Haram al-Sharif the Noble Sanctuary, where the Al-Aqsa Mosque resides.
Muslims consider the mosque the third holiest destination after Mecca and Medina. Al-Aqsa square houses the Dome of the Rock and the Mosque. The mosque dates from the 8th century. From here, Islamic texts say Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven for The Meraaj, a sacred when he met God.
The Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa have often been confused. Though in the same sacred place, they are different buildings with different histories.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque is “the most sensitive site in the Israel-Palestinian conflict” since Muslims and Jews revere it. Al-Aqsa mosque overlooks the Western Wall, a Jewish holy site. The Muslims believe King Solomon had the mosque built by Jinns, who were put under his control by God. Jews believe King Solomon erected the first temple on the Temple Mount 3,000 years ago. But, AD 70 saw the Romans demolish a second temple there.Because of its connection to Jesus Christ, Christians also value the location.
After Israel won the 1967 6-Day war and captured East Jerusalem, this site was feared.
Israel gave the mosque and its environs to an Islamic outfit, but Israeli military can still visit and admit Christian pilgrims.
Since it’s Judaism’s holiest site, many Israelis revere it.
Palestinians considered a 1996 tunnel near al-Aqsa Mosque as a breach of their sacred place. Over 80 people died in three days of conflict.
In 2000, opposition leader Ariel Sharon led a delegation of Israeli MPs to the Temple Mount/al-Haram al-Sharif complex.
Israeli religious officials advised Jews not to walk in a specific mosque area in 2005. They avoided accessing the holiest area, believing God dwells on Earth.
The Israel-Palestine conflict spans decades. (Getty Images)
Other Jewish religious sects desired wider access to the site to control it. They wanted to rebuild an old temple, causing controversy.
An attack on right-wing rabbi Yehuda Glick in autumn 2014 heightened tensions. Israeli officials closed Al-Aqsa for the first time since 1967 in retaliation.
Israeli police used tear gas and stun grenades against Palestinians at Al-Aqsa in March and April, drawing international outrage.
Palestinian protests turned violent, starting the second Palestinian uprising, the al-Aqsa Intifada.
Clashes near the site sparked a 10-day Gaza conflict in 2021.
In the first week of April 2023, Palestinians praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque were attacked without warning. Muslim residents and Arab neighbors were outraged by these attacks.
Recently, Israeli settlers prayed in the mosque on September 17, 2023. Security officers attacked Palestinians seeking to enter the mosque through Bab as-Silsila, a key entryway.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched a massive rocket attack on Israel from Gaza. Gazan terrorists fired 5,000 rockets at Israel, and Hamas abducted numerous Israeli soldiers and civilians.
Hamas called the attack Operation Al-Aqsa Flood to punish Israel’s mosque site aggression.
As tensions rose, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video saying, “We are in a war, and we will win,” and the enemy will pay. The Israeli army declared ‘Operation Iron Swords’ against Hamas militants, and the Air Force attacked Gaza with hundreds of fighter jets.
Since October 7, Israeli attacks have killed 8,306 Palestinians in Gaza, while almost 1,400 were killed in Israel. The Israeli occupation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque violates Muslims’ right to follow their faith. Al-Aqsa mosque plays a key role in the Israel-Palestine conflict, as Muslims have owned the mosque for most of its existence, while Israel has gained authority in recent decades. Israel has been asked by the UN several times to return the Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslims, as it would advance Middle East peace and put an end to the Israel-Palestine conflict forever.
Other benefits of returning Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslims include:
Religious tolerance and understanding would increase.
It would ease regional conflict.
It would show compassion and respect for Muslims.
It would promote justice and equality.Several resolutions passed by the UN Security Council have asked Israel to
return the Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslim control. The return of Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslims would benefit everyone and help develop a more peaceful and prosperous region in the Middle East. It would also put a permanent end to the Israel-Palestine conflict and help build a better, and more peaceful world.
