Ben-Gvir said from Tovers Mount that “the entire Gaza Strip must be occupied”
After Ben-Gvir’s visit, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement saying that Israel’s status quo on the Temple Mount “has not changed, it will not change.”
In a social media post, he announced that National Security Minister Itama Ben-Gvir climbed the Temple Mount on Sunday to pray, calling on Israel’s sovereignty to pray for Gaza.
“Hamas released a horror video to put pressure on Israel,” Ben Gvir said, referring to the new footage released by Hamas on Saturday showing hostage Evyatar David being forced to dig a grave in a tunnel.
“I say it starts here – the Temple Mount where we can prove sovereignty – a clear message must be sent: the entire Gaza Strip must be occupied, declared that Hamas uprooted sovereignty and made voluntary immigration.
Ben-Gvir and hundreds of other Jews are visiting the Temple Mount (Tisha B’Av), a day of mourning for Jews to mourn the first and second temples in Jerusalem.
After Ben-Gvir’s visit, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement saying that Israel’s status quo on the Temple Hill will not change.
National Security Minister Itama Ben GVIR arrives at Temple Mount in the Old Town of Jerusalem during Tisha B’Av, August 3, 2025.
“Israel’s policy of maintaining the status quo on the Temple Mount has not changed, it will not change.”
Ben-Gvir joins Amit Halevi
Mks Amit Halevi (Likud) and Sharren Haskel (New Hope merger) also climbed the Temple Mount to mark Tisha B’Av.
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack on the Al-Aqsa mosque as a “blatant violation of international law” and an “unacceptable provocation”.
The ministry then added that Israel has no sovereignty over the Al-Aqsa mosque.
