Palestinians protest Israel's closure of Al-Aqsa gate

Earlier this week, Israel closed Jerusalem’s Bab Al-Rahma, sometimes known as Golden Gate, which leads to Al-Aqsa compound. Although Al-Rahma has long been out of use, Israel on Sunday installed new locks and metal chains on the gate. Under the status quo agreement - which declares Al-Aqsa compound to be under the jurisdiction of the Jordanian Waqf (Islamic endowment) - Israel is forbidden from making any changes to the holy site and its surroundings. Throughout the week, Israel has cracked down on Palestinians protesting against the move, attacking students and worshippers and raiding the Al-Aqsa compound. Jordan has issued a statement condemning the Israeli violations “in the strongest possible terms,” stressing that Israel should “act in accordance with international law and immediately reopen the gates”. Yesterday, leader of Hamas’ political bureau Ismail Haniyeh called Israel’s actions “extraordinarily alarming” and accused it of planning a “full takeover of the holy site”. Haniyeh called on Palestinians from across the occupied West Bank, Jerusalem and Israel “to gather on Friday [today] at Al-Aqsa Mosque and defend it in order to foil the newly imposed Israeli measures aimed at Judaising the compound”.