Sheikh Sabri, who also heads the Supreme Islamic Council in Al-Quds, said the restrictions will affect worshippers from the occupied West Bank and East Al-Quds, as Ramadan begins midweek.

“We regret the harsh measures the occupying authorities will impose on Muslims coming to Al-Aqsa Mosque,” Sabri said.

He added that Israeli authorities have already barred dozens of young men from entering the mosque compound and have announced they will not ease existing restrictions for worshippers traveling from the occupied West Bank during Ramadan.

“This means there will be tighter restrictions,” Sabri said. “The number of worshippers at Al-Aqsa will be lower than in previous years. This contradicts freedom of worship and disrupts Muslims’ observance of the fasting month.”

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank typically travel to occupied East Al-Quds during Ramadan to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

However, since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli authorities have intensified restrictions at military checkpoints, curbing West Bank residents’ access to Al-Quds.

Over the past two years, only limited numbers of Palestinians have received Israeli army-issued permits, which Palestinians say are difficult to obtain, and authorities have not announced any special arrangements for Ramadan this year.

In recent days, Israeli authorities also issued temporary orders against hundreds of Palestinian residents of East Al-Quds—most of them young men—banning them from entering Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, with some bans extending up to six months.

Separately, Sabri pointed to the January appointment of Maj. Gen. Avshalom Peled as police commander in occupied East Al-Quds, describing it as a signal of escalating measures around the mosque compound.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz wrote, “It seems Ben-Gvir is doing everything he can to fan the flames,” referring to far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his stance on Al-Aqsa.

Meanwhile, the measures come as Israel’s right-wing government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, faces criticism from Palestinian officials over what they describe as attempts to alter the long-standing “status quo” governing the site.

Local police have allowed Israeli extremists to enter the mosque compound since 2003, despite repeated demands by the Islamic Waqf Department to halt the incursions.

“There is no doubt the right-wing government aims to implement its aggressive plan regarding al-Aqsa Mosque,” Sabri said. “For years, they demanded public entries, open prayers, the use of ritual horns, and prostration. What were once hidden ambitions have now become public.”

He added: “We have long warned that Israel seeks to impose sovereignty over the site and reduce the Islamic Waqf’s authority.”

Sabri said Israeli measures extend beyond Al-Aqsa to Palestinian neighborhoods in occupied East Al-Quds, particularly those near the mosque compound, citing demolitions of homes.

“The demolition policy is a racist, unjust, illegal, and inhumane policy, and it is an extension of Britain’s unjust policy in Palestine during the period of British colonial rule,” he said.

Sabri urged Arab and Islamic nations to support Palestinians in Al-Quds and called on Arab and Muslim leaders to shoulder their responsibilities toward Al-Quds and Al-Aqsa Mosque.