Iranian missile debris falls near Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Eid

According to local media reports, the debris hit a parking area in the Jewish Quarter, around 400 metres from both the Western Wall and the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex on the Temple Mount. No injuries were reported.

The impact occurred near the Dung Gate, one of the main entry points into the Old City, shortly before the start of Shabbat, disrupting residents with a loud explosion. The incident coincided with Eid al-Fitr celebrations in the region.

Earlier in the day, tensions had already escalated in Jerusalem after Israel kept the Al-Aqsa compound closed to worshippers during Eid al-Fitr — the first such closure for the festival since 1967, according to media reports.

Sharing details of the incident, the Israel Defense Forces said on X that Iranian missile fragments had impacted the Old City area near the Temple Mount. The military accused Iran of indiscriminate targeting, alleging that civilian areas and religious sites were at risk.

Why is the Temple Mount important?

The Temple Mount is a prominent hill in Jerusalem’s Old City and one of the most sensitive religious sites in the world. It was historically the location of two ancient Jewish temples and is now home to the Al-Aqsa compound, which includes the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

The site holds deep religious significance for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and has been revered for thousands of years.