Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Sheikh Sabri said since Friday, the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque have been shut down and Muslims are prevented from attending the holy place.
He added that the “dangerous issue” is that the Israeli forces are stationed in the mosque, encroaching upon what is inside, including the Islamic Museum.
The former grand Mufti went on to say that the Israeli army has also raided the office of cultural heritage and endowments at the mosque, which dates back to a thousand years ago.
He further emphasized that no Muslim staffer of the mosque is currently working there, adding that Muslim guardians are not present at the place either.
The Israeli regime on Friday shut down al-Aqsa Mosque after a deadly shooting at the holy mosque’s compound in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds.
The gunfight took place just outside the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount) and left three Palestinians and two Israeli police officers dead.
Following the incident, the Israeli police closed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, briefly detained Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, the grand mufti of Jerusalem al-Quds, and canceled Muslim Friday prayers at the site.