Ben-Gvir Leads Mass Sukkot Incursion at Al-Aqsa, Declaring Israeli Sovereignty

Key points

• Itamar Ben-Gvir led roughly 900 Israelis into the Al-Aqsa compound on September 28, 2026, during Sukkot.
• Israeli police closed intersections and forced Palestinian shopkeepers in the Cotton Merchants Market to close their businesses to facilitate the incursion.
• Ben-Gvir stated that Israelis are the 'owners' of Al-Aqsa and linked the event to a broader 'path to absolute victory' against Hamas.
• Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh described the raid as 'playing with fire' and a provocation to Muslims worldwide.
• Hamas member Khaled Meshaal warned that recent measures, including a reported 40-day closure and spatial division, aim to establish total domination over the site.
• The event coincided with the 26th anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Intifada, which began on September 28, 2000.

Background

This incident follows a pattern of escalating tensions at Al-Aqsa, including a previous storming by Ben-Gvir in early September 2026 and settler raids ahead of Yom Kippur in late September. The site has been a focal point of conflict since Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967, with the current status quo recognizing the 14.4-hectare complex as an Islamic holy site administered by the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf. Recent Israeli actions, including tunnel tours by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and restrictions on Palestinian access, have intensified concerns about the erosion of this arrangement.

How outlets are covering it

Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency emphasized the scale of the incursion and the explicit claims of sovereignty made by Ben-Gvir, highlighting the displacement of Palestinian residents and shopkeepers. Middle East Eye focused on the strategic implications, citing Hamas’s warning that these actions are paving the way for total control and noting the involvement of high-ranking officials like Netanyahu. Israel National News presented the event through the lens of Ben-Gvir’s rhetoric, framing it as a celebration of victory over Hamas and a reassertion of Jewish presence. Palestinian authorities and the Muslim World League condemned the raids as violations of the status quo and a provocation to global Muslim sentiments.

Why it matters

The incursion represents a significant escalation in the long-standing dispute over Al-Aqsa, challenging the decades-old status quo that governs access to the site. By explicitly claiming ownership and linking the event to military victories, Israeli officials are signaling a shift toward asserting sovereignty over the holy compound. This move risks triggering broader regional instability, as evidenced by warnings from Palestinian and Arab leaders, and underscores the deepening religious and political tensions in East Jerusalem.

What to watch

Observers will monitor for potential retaliatory actions or further escalations in violence in the West Bank and Gaza. The international community, including the Muslim World League, is expected to issue formal condemnations and potentially pressure Israel to halt incursions. Hamas and other Palestinian groups may call for increased resistance, while Israeli authorities will likely maintain security measures around the Old City. The outcome of the upcoming Israeli elections, referenced in the context of the Sukkot timing, may also influence future policies regarding the site.