Netanyahu tours tunnels beneath Al-Aqsa as Ben Gvir raids Jerusalem holy site
Netanyahu tours tunnels beneath Al-Aqsa as Ben Gvir raids Jerusalem holy site Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 09/21/2026 - 11:21 Israeli prime minister joins Yom Kippur prayers at Western Wall as hundreds of Israelis storm Al-Aqsa under heavy police protection A drone view of Jewish worshippers taking part in Selichot, a prayer in which Jews offer repentance and ask God to forgive their sins,…
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined hundreds of Israeli settlers in storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem over the weekend, as he toured tunnels beneath the holy site ahead of the Yom Kippur holiday. The visit came just hours after the prime minister and his wife participated in Selichot prayers at the Western Wall, a sacred area adjacent to Al-Aqsa.
The tour of the underground tunnels was described as a profound experience, with Netanyahu stating, "It is moving to touch the rock of our existence. We are here very close to the Holy of Holies." He emphasized that "we are here, and we will always remain here."
The incursion at Al-Aqsa Mosque was carried out under the heavy protection of police forces. Among the hundreds of Israeli settlers who participated in the raid was National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who was seen praying inside the mosque complex. The Palestinian Authority's Jerusalem Governorate reported that approximately 800 individuals had entered the site on Sunday.
As the Jewish holiday season commenced, Israeli security measures were significantly increased in Jerusalem's Old City and surrounding areas, leading to the Old City being transformed into a "military barracks" to ensure the access of settlers to the vicinity of Al-Aqsa.
Written by urgent.news from Middle East Eye's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
