Israeli PM Netanyahu Supports Curbs on Arab Israelis' Access to Al-Aqsa Mosque Amid Gaza War: Report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly aligned with his National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who endorses restrictions on Arab Israelis’ access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount during Ramadan.

The decision diverged from the recommendations of parts of the security establishment, The Times of Israel reported, adding that the decision was not final and was still being considered. Netanyahu’s office later pushed back at the reports, saying said the premier “made a balanced decision that allows freedom of religion with necessary security limits, which have been set by professional officials.”

This comes as a member of the Israeli war cabinet threatened to invade the southern city of Rafah if the remaining Israeli hostages were not freed by the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan.  Netanyahu on Sunday brushed off growing calls to halt the military offensive in Gaza, promising to “finish the job”. Israel’s government has not publicly discussed a timeline for a ground offensive on Rafah. But Retired General Benny Gantz, part of Netanyahu’s three-member War Cabinet, told a conference of Jewish American leaders, “If by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue to the Rafah area.”

As cease-fire negotiations struggle after signs of progress in recent weeks, Netanyahu has called demands by Gaza’s ruling Hamas militant group “delusional.” The United States, Israel’s top ally, says it still hopes to broker a cease-fire and hostage-release agreement and envisions a wider resolution of the war sparked by the deadly Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel. The US also says it will veto another draft UN resolution calling for a cease-fire.

Netanyahu’s Cabinet adopted a declaration Sunday saying Israel “categorically rejects international edicts on a permanent arrangement with the Palestinians” and opposes any unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. The international community supports an independent Palestinian state as part of a future peace agreement. However, Netanyahu’s government is filled with leaders who oppose Palestinian independence.

Earlier on Sunday, Israeli strikes across Gaza continued, killing at least 18 people overnight. A strike in Rafah killed six people, including a woman and three children, and another killed five in Khan Younis, the main target of the southern Gaza offensive in recent weeks, according to The Associated Press. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a WHO team was not allowed to enter Nasser Hospital on Friday or Saturday. In a post on X, he said about 200 patients remain, including 20 who need urgent referrals elsewhere.

Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said at least 200 militants surrendered at the hospital. He also claimed that Hamas in Khan Younis is defeated and that Hamas is largely leaderless in Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry said 70 medical personnel were among those arrested, along with patients, leaving 150 patients without medical care. It said Israel refused to allow patients to be evacuated to other hospitals. The Israeli military says it is looking for the remains of hostages inside Nasser Hospital and does not target doctors or patients.

(With agency inputs)