Nearly 140,000 Palestinian worshippers performed Eid al-Adha prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem on May 28, 2026, despite heavy Israeli security measures and restrictions. The Islamic Waqf Department reported that the mosque compound was filled with worshippers, while Israeli forces deployed in large numbers, conducted searches at entry points, and detained several individuals.

This was the first Eid prayer at Al-Aqsa since tensions between Israel and the United States escalated over Iran last year. During Eid al-Fitr earlier, Israeli authorities had closed the mosque, forcing worshippers to pray outside. On Eid morning, Israeli forces tightened security across Jerusalem’s Old City, and worshippers entered mainly through the Lions’ Gate. Palestinian residents were urged to attend prayers to affirm the mosque’s Islamic identity and presence.

The report also noted incidents of Israeli forces assaulting and detaining individuals near the mosque, including a young woman and journalist Saif al-Kawasma. Similar Eid prayers were held across the occupied West Bank, where Israeli raids and arrests continued, injuring a 13-year-old boy near Hebron.