Al-Aqsa Mosque reopens after 40-day closure due to Israel's war restrictions

Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem was reopened on Thursday (April 9) after a 40-day closure by Israel, citing war restrictions. 

Hundreds of Muslim worshippers gathered at dawn for the morning prayers, expressing their gratefulness to be able to visit the mosque after the long closure.  

"I thank God for opening it for us, and I was prostrating for God in gratitude for opening it, hoping that it will stay open and will not close," said Jerusalem resident Ibrahim Abu Rmaileh. 

Later on Thursday, a group of Jewish worshippers were also granted access and were seen walking inside the compound, a step seen as provocative by Muslim worshippers at the site.

Under a delicate decades-old "status quo" arrangement with Muslim authorities, the Al-Aqsa compound is administered by a Jordanian religious foundation and Jews can visit but may not pray there.

Israel had ordered the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque on February 28 following the attacks on Iran as part of its security measures, prompting an outcry from Muslim worshippers. 

The reopening of the holy site came a day after a ceasefire declaration towards Iran by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday (April 8).

Production: Sinan Abu Mayzer, Nuha Sharaf, Peter Blaza/Reuters