Israeli police detained Sheikh Mohammed Ali al-Abbasi, the imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, on Monday evening, February 16, 2026, from inside the mosque's courtyards in occupied East Jerusalem. The arrest has drawn sharp condemnation from Palestinian factions, including Hamas, which described it as part of ongoing efforts to interfere in the site's religious affairs.
According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, citing local sources, Israeli forces took Sheikh al-Abbasi into custody without providing an immediate explanation for the action. The Jerusalem Governorate later stated that the imam was issued a one-week ban from entering the Al-Aqsa compound, with the possibility of extension. Reports from Anadolu Agency and other outlets confirmed the detention occurred within the sacred precincts, followed by the issuance of an exclusion order barring him from the site for seven days.
The move comes just days before the anticipated start of the holy month of Ramadan, heightening concerns over access and preparations at the third holiest site in Islam. The Islamic Waqf Department, which administers the compound under a longstanding status quo arrangement, has faced repeated restrictions on staff and logistical arrangements for the upcoming month.
Hamas issued a strong statement on Tuesday condemning the detention and the ban order. The group labeled the actions as "blatant interference in the affairs of Al-Aqsa and an unacceptable assault on its imams." It accused the Israeli government of escalating violations, including restrictions on worshippers' entry, prevention of preparations for Ramadan, and intensified raids by settler groups under police protection. Hamas characterized these steps as attempts to impose control, "Judaize" the mosque, restrict freedom of worship, and enforce temporal and spatial division of the site.
The movement called on Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and areas within the 1948 territories to maintain a steadfast presence at Al-Aqsa, travel to the site, and serve as a protective barrier against changes to its identity. It further urged the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Arab and Islamic nations to take urgent action through diplomatic and other channels to safeguard the mosque and pressure Israel to halt the violations.
The incident fits into a pattern of heightened Israeli security measures in occupied East Jerusalem and around Al-Aqsa, particularly as Ramadan approaches. Reports indicate intensified settler incursions into the compound—often escorted by police—and administrative restrictions on religious figures, guards, and worshippers. Earlier in February 2026, similar ban orders and arrests targeted other Waqf employees and Jerusalem religious leaders, including Sharia judges and mosque guards.
Israeli authorities have not publicly detailed the specific reasons for Sheikh al-Abbasi's detention or the ban in the immediate aftermath. Such actions are frequently justified under security pretexts, though Palestinian sources and international observers often view them as efforts to limit Palestinian presence and influence at the site.
Al-Aqsa Mosque, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary), remains a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The compound houses the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque and is administered by the Jordanian Waqf under a delicate agreement dating back to 1967. Any perceived changes to access, religious practices, or security arrangements frequently spark protests and international concern.
Tensions in the Old City and surrounding areas have risen in recent weeks, with reports of multiple arrests, home raids, and exclusion orders affecting Palestinian activists and religious personnel. Israeli police have announced plans for heavy deployments around the site during Ramadan to manage crowds and maintain order, while Palestinian officials and groups warn of potential escalation if restrictions persist.
The detention of Sheikh al-Abbasi has amplified calls for international intervention to preserve the status quo and ensure unrestricted access for Muslim worshippers during the holy month. As preparations for Ramadan continue amid these developments, the situation at Al-Aqsa remains closely watched by regional stakeholders and global observers.
