Al-Aqsa under siege: War, power and the battle for Jerusalem’s status quo

At a moment when the Middle East is already engulfed in one of its most volatile confrontations in decades — marked by escalating tensions involving the US, Israel and Iran — Jerusalem has once again emerged as the most sensitive and dangerous regional flashpoint.

What is unfolding around Al-Aqsa Mosque is not an isolated security measure, as Israeli authorities claim, but part of a broader and deeply consequential recalibration of realities on the ground.

Closing the mosque and preventing worshippers from entering — particularly during Ramadan, and even denying the practice of i’tikaf spiritual retreat — represents a step without precedent since 1967, and one that signals a potential shift in the long-standing status quo governing one of Islam’s holiest sites.

To understand the gravity of this development, one must place it within the broader regional context. The ongoing confrontation involving Washington, Tel Aviv and Tehran has created a strategic vacuum; or at the very least, a moment of global distraction. Historically, such moments have often been exploited to advance controversial policies under the cover of larger crises. In this case, the concern is clear: that Israel might be leveraging the fog of war to impose new realities in Jerusalem, particularly in and around Al-Aqsa Mosque.

For decades the status quo, fragile as it might be, has served as a cornerstone for the prevention of religious escalation in Jerusalem. It has ensured, at least in principle, that Muslim worshippers retain access to Al-Aqsa, while visits by non-Muslims are regulated under specific conditions.

Jerusalem is not merely a geographic location, it is a symbol, a catalyst and, in many ways, a red line for millions across the Muslim world.  

Hani Hazaimeh

Any disruption to this delicate balance carries risks that extend far beyond the city itself. Jerusalem is not merely a geographic location, it is a symbol, a catalyst and, in many ways, a red line for millions across the Muslim world.

The decision to close Al-Aqsa Mosque under the pretext of security concerns must therefore be scrutinized with a high degree of skepticism. Security, while a legitimate concern for any state, cannot be used as a blanket justification for measures that fundamentally alter religious rights and historical arrangements.

The timing of these restrictions, during Ramadan, a period of heightened spiritual significance, only amplifies the perception that this is less about immediate security and more about testing boundaries.

Equally troubling is the denial of i’tikaf, a deeply rooted Islamic practice observed during the last 10 days of Ramadan. Preventing worshippers from engaging in such rituals is not only unprecedented but also indicative of a broader pattern of restrictions that have been intensifying over the years.

When viewed cumulatively — alongside repeated incursions by settlers, limitations on access and administrative measures — the current situation begins to resemble a systematic effort to redefine control over the site.

This is where the regional dimension becomes critical. The ongoing tensions with Iran, and the broader geopolitical context involving the US, have shifted international attention away from the Palestinian issue. In such an environment accountability diminishes and actions that might otherwise provoke immediate global backlash can proceed with limited scrutiny. This dynamic is not new but it is particularly pronounced now.

At the same time, it would be analytically insufficient to ignore the role of Iran in this equation. Tehran has long positioned itself as a defender of Palestinian rights, yet its actions across the region tell a more complex story. Its involvement in multiple Arab theaters has often exacerbated instability, diverting focus from the Palestinian cause while simultaneously claiming to champion it.

The current regional escalation, in which Iran is a central actor, has inadvertently created the very conditions that allow Israel to act with greater latitude in Jerusalem.

This duality, of Israel exploiting instability and Iran contributing to it, places the Palestinian issue in an increasingly precarious position. It risks being overshadowed by broader strategic conflicts, even as developments on the ground continue to erode the prospects for a just and lasting solution.

For Israel, the implications of altering the status quo at Al-Aqsa are profound. While such measures might be framed as tactical or temporary, they carry long-term strategic costs. Undermining religious freedoms and inflaming tensions in Jerusalem does not enhance security, it undermines it. It fuels grievances, radicalizes discourse, and risks igniting a cycle of escalation that could extend far beyond the immediate context.

For the international community, the response, or lack thereof, will be equally consequential. Silence or inaction in the face of such developments effectively signals acquiescence. If the principles of international law and the protection of religious rights are to retain any credibility they must be applied consistently, regardless of the geopolitical complexities involved.

For Arab states, the moment demands clarity and cohesion. The defense of Jerusalem’s status quo cannot remain a rhetorical commitment; it must translate into coordinated diplomatic action. The stakes are not only political but also moral and cultural. Al-Aqsa Mosque occupies a central place in the collective consciousness of the Arab and Muslim worlds, and any threat to its status resonates far beyond the confines of the conflict.

Ultimately, what is unfolding is not merely about access to a mosque or the management of a religious site. It is about the preservation of a historical and legal framework that has, despite its imperfections, prevented a far more dangerous confrontation. It is about whether moments of regional chaos will be used to entrench division or to reinforce principles.

The war dynamics between the US, Israel and Iran might dominate the headlines, but beneath the surface a quieter yet more enduring battle is taking shape in Jerusalem.

If the status quo at Al-Aqsa is allowed to erode under the cover of broader conflict, the consequences will not be confined to the present moment. They will reverberate for generations, reshaping not only the political landscape but also the very fabric of coexistence in one of the world’s most contested cities.

• Hani Hazaimeh is a senior editor based in Amman. X: @hanihazaimeh