JERUSALEM — The solar shone over the streets of Jerusalem’s Old City on Monday as the primary full day of Ramadan started. But with no ceasefire in sight, the struggle in Gaza solid a heavy shadow over the beginning of the holy month. There are fears that tensions may rise across the revered Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli border police patrolled the streets of the Muslim a part of the Old City. The space is often crowded with folks and is adorned with lights, lanterns and decorations throughout Ramadan.
Monday was noticeably quiet with no signal of celebration as small teams of worshipers headed to Al-Aqsa, Islam’s third-holiest web site, for noon prayers.
Store proprietor Jamil Halwani mentioned that for Muslims around the globe, Ramadan is “crucial month for us.” But this 12 months, there was no conventional “pleasure of Ramadan” reminiscent of fasting, prayer, worship, reflection and gathering, he mentioned.
Jamil Halwani within the Old City of Jerusalem on Monday.Chantal da Silva/NBC News
“We wish to beautify,” he mentioned, however “what we see in Gaza is not going to be tolerated,” as Ramadan started with none signal of a cease-fire that may imply the discharge of hostages held by Hamas and an finish to navy exercise. Ta. Amid fears of famine, Israel has carried out assaults on the enclave, throughout which greater than 31,000 folks have been killed.
“As Jerusalemites, the one factor we are able to do for Gaza just isn’t beautify,” he sighs.
“Without Al-Aqsa Mosque, we’re nothing. Even in the event that they beat us or arrest us, we now have to go and pray.” he mentioned.
Monday on the Dome of the Rock shrine on the grounds of Al-Aqsa Mosque.Chantal da Silva/NBC News
Israel has tightened its management over the al-Aqsa space lately and within the wake of Hamas’s Oct. 7 assault. The web site is revered in each Islam and Judaism, and is understood to Muslims because the Haram al-Sharif, or Noble Sanctuary, and to Jews because the Temple Mount.
In the weeks main as much as Ramadan, the Israeli authorities was unsure whether or not it will contemplate imposing new restrictions on entry to the Al Aqsa compound throughout the holy month. But final Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace introduced that no new restrictions could be carried out, regardless of far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir calling for harder restrictions.
Mustafa Abu Sway, a Palestinian scholar who lectures at Al-Aqsa Mosque and is a member of Jerusalem’s Islamic Waqf Council, which manages the positioning, mentioned Sunday evening’s incident was an indication of extra to return. He mentioned he was involved that this is perhaps the case.
Mustafa Abu Swei in Jerusalem on Monday.Chantal da Silva/NBC News
“Prime Minister Netanyahu has already mentioned that there shall be no restrictions, and they’re already violating this,” he mentioned. “There are already restrictions in place.”
Abu Swei worries that it’s going to not be secure for boys and younger folks to go to the al-Aqsa compound within the coming weeks, including that it will be a “harmful and catastrophic state of affairs” for younger folks to must keep away from the holy web site. He mentioned that it will be a “goal” factor.
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Chuck Freilich, Israel’s former vice-presidential nationwide safety adviser, mentioned that amid rising tensions, unwarranted restrictions on entry to al-Aqsa throughout Ramadan “raised the potential for broader battle and straight spiritual overtones.” There is a danger of inflicting “confrontation”.
“Jerusalem is a tinderbox to start with,” he mentioned. “Jews, Muslims, Christians, it evokes feelings on all sides.”
Hamas has repeatedly used violence on the Al-Aqsa Mosque to incite riots, together with the October 7 assault, which it dubbed the “Al-Aqsa Flood.”
Freilich mentioned Hamas seems to have largely didn’t “escalate tensions in Jerusalem” thus far, however it’s potential Hamas will proceed to attempt to use Ramadan as a “flashpoint.” mentioned.
Daniel Seideman, a Jerusalem-based lawyer and professional on the area, mentioned the sentiment within the Old City was above all “a way of sobriety, despair” and “anger” over the struggle in Gaza.
Believers pray in entrance of the Dome of the Rock shrine on the grounds of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Monday, the primary day of fasting within the holy month of Ramadan. Ahmad Gharabli/AFP – Getty Images
“This month is a month of introspection, sacredness and household,” he mentioned, however “by no fault of its personal, Ramadan has grow to be a lightning rod for battle.”
“It’s a really unhappy Ramadan interval. Everyone could be very unhappy about what is going on in Gaza,” Manal Abedaya, 20, mentioned Monday after visiting a mosque.
She mentioned she would attempt to stay “optimistic” that the state of affairs would possibly change throughout the month of Ramadan.
“It’s nonetheless day one,” she mentioned.
“Let’s see what occurs.”
Contributed by Tavleen Tarrant.