JERUSALEM, May 1, 2026 (WAFA) – The Jerusalem Governorate stated that the recent developments at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem represent a dangerous and systematic escalation by extremist settler groups, which are attempting to impose new facts on the ground inside the mosque compound. This is being carried out through attempts to bring in so-called “animal sacrifices” and intensifying incursions under the cover of religious and political Talmudic holidays.

The Governorate explained in an official statement that today witnessed a new attempted incursion through Bab Hutta, where a group of settlers attempted to bring a live sacrificial animal into Al-Aqsa Mosque on the occasion of the so-called “Second Passover.” They managed to cross the first iron barrier placed by the occupation police at the entrance of the corridor, before Al-Aqsa Mosque guards immediately intervened, closed the gate, and prevented their entry.

The Governorate indicated that the number of attempts to bring sacrificial offerings or reach the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque has risen to eight documented attempts since the beginning of the year during the “First and Second Passover” periods, marking the highest number recorded since 1967. It added that settlers succeeded on three occasions in reaching the vicinity of the mosque with sacrificial offerings before being prevented from completing their attempts.

It further noted that the year 2025 witnessed three attempts to introduce animal sacrifices into Al-Aqsa Mosque, including two attempts to slaughter sacrifices after bringing them in, in addition to a third incident in which pieces of sacrificial meat stained with blood were brought in.

The Jerusalem Governorate warned of two highly dangerous upcoming occasions expected to witness further escalation in incursions and ritual practices inside Al-Aqsa Mosque:

• First: Friday, 15/5/2026, which coincides with the so-called “Jerusalem Day,” marking the anniversary of the occupation of Jerusalem in 1967. This occasion is considered one of the most dangerous in terms of large-scale incursions and attempts to demonstrate so-called “sovereignty” over Al-Aqsa Mosque.
• Second: Friday, 22/5/2026, which coincides with the so-called “Shavuot” (Jewish Feast of Weeks), preceded by an expected “compensatory incursion” on Thursday, 21/5. These occasions are typically exploited to intensify incursions and attempts to introduce plant and animal sacrificial offerings into the mosque.

The Governorate called for sustained presence and mobilization (Ribat) at Al-Aqsa Mosque, emphasizing that it represents the first line of defense against these attempts, and for strengthening the resilience of Jerusalemites amid this ongoing escalation.

It also stressed the importance of keeping the issue of Al-Aqsa Mosque at the forefront of local and international media coverage, and not allowing what is happening there to be marginalized, especially amid growing global preoccupation with other issues. It warned that extremist settler groups are attempting to exploit this distraction to pass further violations on the ground without sufficient monitoring or coverage.

T.R.