Israeli authorities have imposed a one-week ban on Jerusalem’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Mohammad Hussein, preventing him from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. According to the Jerusalem Governorate, he was detained by Israeli forces on Friday after leading the weekly sermon and prayers at the mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. He was later released under the condition that he not enter the mosque area for seven days.

The governorate’s statement noted that Israeli forces detained the Grand Mufti immediately after the Friday prayers. Israeli police did not issue any immediate comment on the matter. The report added that such restrictions on Al-Aqsa preachers have been frequent in recent years.

The move comes amid heightened Israeli activity around the holy site. The Palestinian Ministry of Waqf and Religious Affairs reported that Israeli forces entered the Al-Aqsa compound 26 times in June, with 4,212 Israeli settlers entering under military protection through the Mughrabi Gate.