Al-Aqsa Mosque Imam arrested in East Jerusalem

Israeli police have arrested an imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem shortly before the start of Ramadan.

According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, Israeli forces detained Sheikh Mohammed al-Abbasi from the mosque’s courtyard on Monday evening.

No official reason for the arrest was disclosed.

The incident comes as security measures at Al-Aqsa are being tightened, with reported restrictions on worshippers entering the compound.

There are also reports that certain religious figures have been issued orders barring them from access.

The Palestinian group Hamas condemned the detention, stating that the imam had been ordered not to enter the mosque. In a statement, it described the move as interference in the religious affairs of Al-Aqsa.

Israeli police have meanwhile said that security around the site will be further reinforced during Ramadan. Palestinian officials have accused Israel of limiting worshippers’ access to the mosque compound.

Al-Aqsa Mosque, regarded as Islam’s third holiest site, is located in East Jerusalem, an area captured by Israel in the 1967 war. Under longstanding arrangements, Jewish visitors are permitted to enter the compound, though not to pray there.