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Office: 10240 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44111

  • Travel to the blessed land of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and visit Masjid Al-Aqsa

al aqsa travel

3 Haram Trip

Al-aqsa (only) trip, ramadan hotel group, summer holidays, christmas holidays, ramadan iitikaaf, al-aqsa trips.

Masjid Al-Aqsa is the third holiest mosque in the Islamic tradition. A mosque deeply rooted in Prophetic history and the destination of the famous Al-Israa W’Al-Mi’raaj (night journey and ascension) undertook by The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) before travelling to the heavens. Situated in the heart of Al-Quds (Jerusalem), a city which has been a focal point for so many different religions since the start of time.

Praying in Masjid Al-Aqsa carries 500 times the reward of praying elsewhere and is one of the three Masjids that Muslims are allowed to travel for reward. An opportunity of a lifetime and one that every person should embark upon in their life.

We offer various trips throughout the year. Our trips are DIY trips with the aim of giving you the opportunity to travel to the blessed land of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and visit Masjid Al-Aqsa in an economical way under the supervision of people who have travelled to Al-Aqsa. Click on one of the trips to find out more information.

Send us any questions you have and we will get back to you ASAP.

© Copyright Go Aqsa. All Rights Reserved. 2024

Website Development By REM Digital

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Al Aqsa Masjid

Zaarvel provides a unique opportunity to explore the awe inspiring history of Al Aqsa Masjid and the Westbank area. Our experienced guides take you on a journey that will leave you feeling spiritually uplifted. We make sure every tour is a special and unforgettable experience. Book now and discover the wonders of Al Aqsa Masjid.

Passionate About Tours

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A PLACE TO BE

It's no coincidence that Al Aqsa is one of the top repeated destinations for our customers. You can't but fall in love at 1st sight with Al Aqsa and its defenders, the Palestinians. The breathtaking beauty of every inch of Al Aqsa, the endless smiles of the Palestinians. Of course the food. Making this a place for young, old, single, or groups which is what we love.

We know Al Aqsa better than the backs of our hands, meaning that whether you want to plan an adventure holiday combining Jordan or just find inner peace, we know exactly how to start planning your perfect tour.

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REDISCOVER THE SEERAH WITH US

Joining a n Umrah group is a unique spiritual journey that goes beyond religious duties. It includes exploring the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) together. Learning his life story with the group deepens our understanding of Islamic history and strengthens our connections. Consider joining a group for Umrah to make the pilgrimage both enlightening and spiritually enriching.

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[email protected] +44 116 380 0131

al aqsa travel

ATOL 100644 agents of Hasan Travel & Tours

al aqsa travel

3 Haram Tour sold out! We have availability on our unique Rabi ul Awwal September 2024 Tour

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Do you want to visit Masjid Al Aqsa?

Have you always wanted to visit Masjid Al Aqsa in Al Quds (Jerusalem)? Then you are in the right place! Your number 1 choice to join imam led groups and to experience the beauty and heritage of Masjid Al Aqsa and its surrounding areas. www.VisitAqsa.com works exclusively to provide expertly-crafted family friendly tours which are tailored to offer a glimpse into the rich cultural and historical significance of this magnificent region. Let us inspire you to embark on an unforgettable journey of discovery - and a ziyarah you will never forget! Check out our upcoming and past tours!

al aqsa travel

Al Quds: more than just a city Al Quds (Jerusalem) is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The 'Old City' is at the very heart of Al Quds inside which lies Masjid Al Aqsa and other historic sites.

Hebron: discover the hidden gems of khalil (hebron) hebron is 19 miles (30km) south of jerusalem where the historic masjid ibrahimi (cave of the patriarchs) is a must visit where many prophets rest, nabi musa - in the heart of jericho jericho is the oldest city in the world - and just outside this city rests the mighty prophet moses (upon him be peace). this desert area offers the most peaceful and beautiful views., past trips gallery.

Some of the many photos from our most recent trips.

al aqsa travel

Testimonials

“ We had an excellent trip with VisitAqsa - from the initial contact till the end it did not disappoint. Each step during our journey was made very simple and easy and was well organised.  The group leader, Shahban, and the imam went above and beyond to make each individual of the group feel comfortable and welcomed - no request was too small or too large for them. I highly recommend booking with VisitAqsa for an excellent spiritual experience of a lifetime. Can’t wait to go again! "

Ms K Hussein, Birmingham

"I had the most amazing week during Ramadan 2023 in Palestine with VisitAqsa. Not a single day goes by without thinking of the blessed land - it is true that the heart stays there even when the body returns to the West. Jazak'Allah to Shahban and the team . "

Qari Nadeem Sattar, Bradford

“I wanted to say Jazak’Allah for everything you did for me and my family during the most blessed and amazing journey to Al-Quds. We had the most spiritual and heartwarming experience ever and you made this easy and possible for us. My son has made friends for life and had an amazing time too and has intentions to continue going to Al-Aqsa with you guys Insha’Allah. We were treated not like a group but family which made it special and I can’t thank you enough. ”

Mrs A Ali, London

“I have been blessed to visit Masjid Al-Aqsa 3 times in 12 months. One of these trips was going on the unique 3 Haram Tour with my family - and each time we visited with Shahban and the VisitAqsa team. We loved every moment! Thank you for opening access to the blessed lands for us. ”

Syed Yaqoob Hassan Gilani, Halifax

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Masjid Al Aqsa

The forgotten sanctuary    ,    accompanied by a professional local guide, 5 days - 4 nights from £595.

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Journey to Al-Aqsa to discover the secrets of the blessed land of Jerusalem. 

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Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, the surroundings of which We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing. (al-Isra 17:1)

Just imagine sitting and gazing at the sacred precincts of Masjid Al-Aqsa; the first Qiblah for the Muslims.

The only place on earth where all the Prophets (as) gathered together in prayer. Whilst enjoying the magnificent sights before you, you will be immersed in the inspiring presentations of our professional guides.

It will be an experience that you will cherish forever!

Available Tour Dates (5 Days - 4 Nights): ​​ ​ ​ ​

​COMING SOON

PICK UP & DROP OFF TIMES – Pick up : from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm from Ben Gurion Airport -Tel Aviv (TLV) – Drop off : 12:00 pm to Ben Gurion Airport -Tel Aviv (TLV)

Suggested Direct Flight Options (Not included in package) ​​ ​ ​

BRITISH AIRWAYS

BA165 - Heathrow to Tel Aviv

Departure:  08:00

Arrival:  14:50

BA164 - Tel Aviv to Heathrow

Departure:  16:40

Arrival:  19:55

EZY2083 - Luton to Tel Aviv 

Departure:  07:15  

Arrival:  14:20

EZY2084 - Tel Aviv to Luton

Departure:  15:15

Arrival:  18:40

Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport -Tel Aviv

Transfer to Jerusalem – Check in to hotel, overnight stay

Jumu’ah Prayer and Guided walking tour of Masjid Al-Aqsa Old City.

Guided tour to Mount of Olives, Bethlehem, Hebron (Al-Khalil)

Visit Jericho and Dead Sea

Check-out from hotel proceed to Ben Gurion Airport -Tel Aviv (TLV)

* Please note that there may be minor changes to the itinerary & including switching days

This package includes: ​

Airport Meet & Assist

All ground transfers (private)

4 nights stay at a 4 Star Hotel in Jerusalem (New Capitol Hotel or Holy Land Hotel)

Guided tour in Jerusalem by an experienced local guide

Entrance to all sites mentioned in the Itinerary

Not Included: ​

Extras in the hotels

Lunch and dinner

Tips for the guide

Price (per person) Sharing Twin/Triple Room

Adult Rate: £595

Single supplement £200

Children Rate

(Age 6-12): £395

(Age 2-5): £295

Full payment required with booking.

UK nationals are issued an entry permit on arrival into Israel. If you are not a UK citizen, please check entry requirements prior to booking. Please note that entry into Israel is at the discretion of the Israeli authorities and in the very rare case that entry is denied, Al-Hidaayah Travel cannot be held responsible for any consequences.

Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel. If you do not hold a British passport, please ensure you acquire the necessary visas prior to departure. 

How to Book : 1. Please call us to ensure we still have availability on your chosen departure dates

2. Book your flights (taking into account drop-off and pick-up times) - Please call us if you need help with arranging flights

3. Complete  booking form

4. Make payment by bank transfer:

Account Name: AL-HIDAAYAH TRAVEL LTD

Sort Code: 20-08-98

Account Number: 90918997

Reference: Please insert your postcode

Important notes;

Flights are not included, please ensure to book your flights according to the airport transfer times outlined above.

Places are subject to availability

Al-Hidaayah Travel Ltd Terms & Conditions apply, a copy is available on request and viewable at www.al-hidaayah.travel/Terms.aspx

Call Now To Enquire: 0121 753 7890 

RJ TRAVEL - Adventure tours within everyones reach

RJ Travel LLC » Travel Agency & Tour Operator

Re-writing the concept of tourism and taking you on adventure tours to Iraq, Morocco, Afghanistan, Yemen, Persia, Lebanon, Saudi, Libya, Uzbekistan.

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Al-Aqsa Mosque in Palestine

Al-Aqsa Mosque

Table of Contents

Travel to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, an iconic destination for history and architecture enthusiasts in the Old City of Jerusalem, Palestine. This significant mosque, completed in the 8th century, is renowned for its sacred status and fascinating design.

When you visit the Al Aqsa Mosque, you can admire this remarkable mosque’s awe-inspiring architecture, intricate decorations, and historical importance. Our tours in Palestine allow you to immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of the captivating Al Aqsa Mosque.

Al-Aqsa Mosque Palestine

“The Al-Aqsa Mosque is a revered historic mosque in Palestine, known for its exceptional architecture and rich cultural heritage, standing as a testament to the region’s religious and architectural history.”

Curiosities about Al Aqsa Mosque:

  • Al Aqsa Mosque is located in the Old City of Jerusalem, Palestine.
  • It was completed in the 8th century and is renowned for its sacred status and fascinating design.
  • Al Aqsa Mosque is recognized for its awe-inspiring architecture, intricate decorations, and historical significance.
  • The mosque was crucial to the region’s religious and architectural history.

Visit Al-Aqsa Mosque

The awe-inspiring architecture and intricate decorations of the Al Aqsa Mosque offer visitors a glimpse into the past. Discover the historical importance of this unique mosque and its role in the religious and architectural history of the region.

The unique design of the Al Aqsa Mosque showcases its sacred status and architectural significance. Explore this captivating mosque and learn about its historical significance.

Map of Al Aqsa Mosque

Discover Al Aqsa Mosque

  • Al Aqsa Mosque : Unearth the captivating historic mosque’s exceptional design and rich cultural heritage.
  • Awe-Inspiring Architecture : Explore the fascinating architecture and learn about its sacred status and architectural significance.
  • Intricate Decorations : Admire the captivating designs and cultural symbolism of the mosque’s intricate decorations.
  • Jerusalem’s Religious and Architectural History : Delve into the rich religious and architectural heritage of the ancient city of Jerusalem.

Travel to Al-Aqsa Mosque

List of tours in Palestine that travel to the Al Aqsa Mosque.

Photos of Al Aqsa Mosque

Images of the Al Aqsa Mosque showcasing its awe-inspiring architecture, intricate decorations, and unique design in Palestine.

al aqsa travel

  • Historic Places We Visit in Arabia
  • Places we visit in Al Aqsa
  • About Masjid Al Aqsa
  • Why Visit Masjid Al Aqsa

al aqsa travel

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آَيَاتِنَا إِنَّه هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ

Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allah) Who took His slave (Muhammad SAW) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) to Masjid Al-Aqsa, the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad SAW) of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc…) Verily, He (Allah) is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. (17:1) – Surah Al Israa

Al Aqsa Gallery

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Book Your Spiritual & Historic Al-Aqsa Expedition with us Today!

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Al Aqsa Tour

Jerusalem, Israel

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About this trip

 11 Nights accommodation in Hashimi Hotel with Suhoor.

Full Transfers in air conditioned coach.

Guided tours of Al Aqsa compound, Old City, Hebron, & other site’s with experienced & qualified local English speaking guide.

2 Jumuah salah in Masjid Al Aqsa

Last 10 Nights of Ramadan in Aqsa

Accompanied by experienced guide throughout the trip

*Excludig Insurance of any type.

Excluding Flights Book Early Direct Flights can be obtained for around £250-350

Sabeel Travels is not responsible if entry is denied by Israeli Authorities at Airport.  

Requirements: British Passports Valid for more then 6 months from date of Travel.

2 Doses of Vaccine & booster if 2nd dose was taken more then 6 months ago. Health insurance to cover covid. Note also PCR tests required subject to change for now 1 pre departure &  1 upon arrival required.

What’s included

  • Suhoor/Breakfast Suhoor early meal is included in the package at Hashimi Hotel
  • Transport Full Transfers from Airport to Hotel & return Journey is included in the Package.
  • Guided Tours Guided tours of Al Aqsa Compound, Old city, Mount of Olives, Maqams of Prophets, Graves of Sahabah, Masjid Khalil, Masjid Omar (ra), Masjid Yunas (as) Masjid Musa (as) Jericho & more...

What’s not included

  • Flights Flights not included in package please contact us for flight details.
  • PCR Tests PCR tests if required are not included
  • Travel Insurance Travel Insurance with covid cover not included.

Available Packages

al aqsa travel

 The whole group will fly from Luton Airport (everyone to book their own flight according to group timings)

You will meet the group members at the Airport . You will all travel together to Tel Aviv Airport on a short 5 hour direct flight. After crossing airport security our Group Manager and tour leader will be waiting to collect the group and transfer you to Jeruselam in a comfortable AC Coach/ Minibus . It will take about 50 minutes to reach Jeruselam. You will check into the renowned Hashimi hotel and freshen up.

al aqsa travel

We will rise early to Pray in Aqsa Masjid for Tahujjad & Fajr after which you are free to rest back at hotel or do individual worship.

This will be a very busy day in Al Quds so we recommended to get ready early & go for Jummah around 11:00am Insha'Allah.

After Jummah free day to familiarise yourself with the old city with your team leader.

After Iftari at Masjid you are free to stay in Masjid for tarawee prayer. 

al aqsa travel

Today we will do detailed tour of Al Aqsa compound with our local guide.

Tour will include Dome of the Rock, Qibli Masjid, Marwani Masjid, Buraaq Masjid, Old Aqsa & other significant sites in Al Aqsa compound.

al aqsa travel

Today we will have a full day Bus tour of many sites including:

Mount of Olives, Mount Mukkabir, Masjid Khalil, Maqams of Prophets, Jericho & other sites.

al aqsa travel

Today we will do the old city tour of Jerusalem visiting Muslim Quarter, Christian Quarter, Jewish Quarter, Masjid Omar (ra), Masjid Salahuddin, Buraq Wall, church of Holy Sepulchre.

al aqsa travel

The remaining days of our trip will be spent in individual worship & we will also have lessons of Duroos with Mufti Liaquat in Masjid Al Aqsa. 

al aqsa travel

 The remaining days of our trip will be spent in individual worship in Masjid Al Aqsa. & we will also have lessons of Duroos with Mufti Liaquat in Masjid Al Aqsa.  

al aqsa travel

The remaining days of our trip will be spent in individual worship in Masjid Al Aqsa. & we will also have lessons of Duroos with Mufti Liaquat in Masjid Al Aqsa.   

al aqsa travel

 This will be a very busy day in Al Quds so we recommended to get ready early & go for  last Jummah of Ramadan, go around 10:00am Insha'Allah to find place inside Masjjid also recommended to take a prayer Mat with you.

al aqsa travel

These final days of Ramadan are very precious use the time in Masjid for individual Worship, Duas, Quran recitation Insha'Allah.

al aqsa travel

These final days of Ramadan are very precious use the time in Masjid for individual Worship, Duas, Quran recitation Insha'Allah. 

al aqsa travel

Our final day in Al Aqsa could be Eid al Fitr ( subject to Moonsighting) we will check out Hotel 10:30am & will have free time for shopping & individual activities till we depart for airport 3:30pm local time Insha'Allah.

Your Organizer

Photo gallery.

Trip Main

0207 702 1709    [email protected]

al aqsa travel

Al-Aqsa Tours 2024/2025

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuhu,.

This package has been tailored for those wishing to visit Masjid Al-Aqsa.  Experience excellent guided tours and learn about the great historic places of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. The package dates, times and hotels have been carefully selected to ensure the best experience.

Why this package?

  • Excellent tours of historic places in Jerusalem
  • Includes hotel within close proximity of Masjid Al-Aqsa ( See directions here )
  • Muslim Friendly – Palestinian-owned boutique hotel
  • Package 100% confirmed for peace of mind & ATOL protected

Hotel information (Hashimi Hotel):

“A 275- Year Old Hotel, newly renovated offers a pleasurable experience in a place full of history. Here, you can explore the Old City staying next to all the main tourist attractions. You’ll also find that The Hashimi Hotel’s rooftop has the best panoramic view in town, it’s simply breathtaking. Hashimi is your home away from home. As you pass through the doors of the Hashimi Hotel, you’ll be surrounded by the history and atmosphere of this unique place. Experience the perfect fusion of modern amenities and the old charm of the Old City when you stay in any of our inviting guestrooms. ​ All accommodations have Free Wi-Fi, A/C heating, and TV for your convenience and enjoyment, while based at the hotel, discover what makes the Old City a destination many visitors remember forever. Walk through the historical area of the Old City where it is only a few minutes walk away from all holy sites.”

Hotel information (National Hotel):

Convenient for pilgrims, business, leisure and Families. We are located in the middle of shopping and business district of Jerusalem at Al Zahra street no. 4, crossing from Salah el din Street in Jerusalem.

The National Hotel Jerusalem is located in one of Jerusalem’s busiest shopping districts, a 5-minute walk from Herod’s Gate, an entrance into Jerusalem’s Old City. Parking and Wi-Fi are both free. Rooms are air-conditioned and spacious and feature a modern décor. Each has a refrigerator, an LCD TV and  ensuite bathroom with free toiletries and a hairdryer.

The Al Watani Restaurant at National Hotel – Jerusalem serves Mediterranean cuisine. You will also find a range of shops selling clothes, beauty products and souvenirs around the hotel area. The hotel is 5 minutes on foot from Garden Tomb, believed to be the burial place of Jesus.

An airport shuttle is available from/to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport, a 40-minute drive away. We speak your language!

Guided Group Tour Dates: Speak to our staff for dates Price per person excluding flight: (contact us for help with flights)

Next guided tour: land package excluding flights limited spaces.

There are alternative flights with a 3-hour stopover that are significantly cheaper. You are free to fly from any destination of your choice. We request all passenger meets at Tel Aviv Airport 21:00 (9:00PM) latest, to be transferred to the hotel on the group coach. If you are delayed for more than 4 hours upon arrival you will be expected to take a locally available taxi at your own expense.

27 May – 01 June Tour on Virgin Atlantic (5 Nights / 6 Days)

Flight details with 1pc baggage:

1 VS 457Q 27MAY LHRTLV HK50  0850  1545 2 VS 458X 01JUN TLVLHR HK50  1735  2110

£565 per person excluding flight

National Hotel & Hashimi Booked from 27 May – 01 June (05 Nights HB)

Visa Information upon arrival:

  • Passports should be valid for 6 months
  • After a few hours of patience normally visitors are permitted entry
  • Anyone with a security issue will most likely not be granted entry
  • Affiliation to political and charity organisations may delay entry
  • We cannot guarantee entry and some visitors may be denied entry without reason

For more information please check our FAQs & terms and conditions and download the package details above on this page.

For more information contact:  0207 702 1709   [email protected]

  • Payment plan available,
  • £500 deposit (non-refundable) per person to confirm your place!

General Advice & Guidelines for Al-Aqsa

​Please note Hasan Travel & Tours does not guarantee entry into Israel, this decision is with the authorities at Tel Aviv airport.

Entering via Tel Aviv:

Most airlines fly to Tel Aviv; and the waiting area in the airport is relatively comfortable. Tel Aviv airport is prohibited to most Palestinians, which means that on arrival, most people you see are Israeli, and as a Muslim you are in a very small minority in the airport. You must aim to arrive at Tel Aviv airport at least 3 hours early when departing Israel to clear all the security checks. These start enroute to the airport at checkpoints, and continue from the moment one steps foot in the airport. On arrival at the immigration desk, some travellers who look Muslim, have a Muslim name, or whose background is from the Middle East or the Indian subcontinent will inevitably be directed to the “waiting room” and asked to wait for an officer to come and speak to them. It is not uncommon to be in the waiting room for a few hours, and you will most likely be questioned once or twice.

Will my passport get stamped?

They don’t stamp your passport, they stamp a separate paper with your visa details.

Types of questions asked at the borders:

Regardless of which border crossing you choose to travel to, you will inevitably be questioned by security on a number of occasions. The questions usually include the following:

  • Names of parents, grandparents, great grandparents?
  • Ethnic background?
  • Type of employment you work in?
  • Any association to charitable or Human Rights organisations?
  • Where do you give your zakat and sadaqah?
  • Name of Mosques you attend in your home country?
  • Reasons for visiting other countries (esp if Muslim countries)?
  • Purpose of visit to Israel?
  • Places you intend to visit in Israel?
  • Name of accommodation?
  • Any contacts in Israel?
  • Any contacts in Jordan (if travelling by King Hussein Bridge)?
  • How much money are you travelling with?
  • Occasionally Israeli security will ask for access to your email account, Facebook account and other social media – and may make this a condition of entry.
  • If you mention that you will be visiting any cities in the West Bank, you will be extensively questioned on this, and will most likely have to spend more time at the border before an entry visa is granted. In addition – the Israelis may limit your visa to West
  • Bank only, which can be problematic.
  • Is it safe to travel to Palestine?
  • As a tourist it is as dangerous as any other place, wherever you travel in the world there is a chance of danger if you don’t abide by the rules.

Palestine is no different, all the religions are living with each other and people are getting on with their normal lives. There is trouble in Gaza and unrest in West Bank. Gaza is very far from Jerusalem, hence the chance of trouble is less likely there.

What happens if we do encounter problems?

As British passport holders they have to treat us the same as any other tourists. The police and soldiers are very careful around you if you are a tourist. If they mistreat a tourist they will lose their job. The British Embassy is always there for you if you are mistreated in any way. – In sha Allah you will have a safe journey.

  • ​Can we take family? – Yes you can. We actively encourage families young to old to make this journey.
  • Can we enter Masjid al-Aqsa? – Yes. There is no age limit. There are many entrances to the Al Aqsa compound which are guarded by Jewish soldiers, their job is to stop non-Muslims from entering the Masjid al-Aqsa.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR TRAVEL WITH HASAN TRAVEL & TOURS

All rates are per-person in UK sterling (£) and are subject to change. Prices are subject to change at any time. WITHOUT NOTICE. Tour site order, sequence are always subject to change, even on a last minute basis. Flights, cruises, may not always operate on time, and are subject to last minute changes, delays, and/or cancellation, if you are ready to enjoy travelling to the Middle East/Near East, North Africa, then you should be ready for such possibilities.

  • Initial £500 of deposit per customer is non refundable 6 weeks prior to departure.
  • £25.00 admin fee per booking is chargeable for all cancellations.
  • We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule tours that do not meet the minimum number of passengers.

We advise you to confirm with us before booking your flights. In case of last minute cancellation ( 30 days or more ) due to war, civil unrest and violence, then 30% administration fee will apply to all refunds. We will not refund any part of the payment should natural disasters, civil unrest or war have a direct effect (cancellation of tour at very short notice) on the safety of the tour 30 days or less prior to or during the tour dates.

​ADDITIONAL COSTS.

Unless specifically mentioned in a tour itinerary, tour prices do not include the following:

  • Meals and sightseeing
  • Insurance of any kind
  • Beverages, including bottled water
  • Departure taxes, Exit/visa fees and customs duties
  • Items of a personal nature, including laundry, mineral waters, excess baggage charges be it on the airline or for additional storage/delivery on the train, coaches, etc.
  • Extra charges for food ordered à la carte or from room service (these charges must be paid directly to the hotel or restaurant)
  • Gratuities (tips) for tour guides, lecturers, hotel and cruise ship staff are at the discretion of the traveller.

​TRAVELLERS’ SAFETY:

Many of our tours include activities which require attention, caution and discipline such as climbing into and out of boats and up and down hills; and entering and exiting ancient tombs and pyramids. Our experienced guides and other staff will advise you and assist you in these activities, but you undertake all such activities at your own risk. Hasan Travel & Tours, its employees and agents cannot be responsible for participants who do not exercise normal and customary caution, who do not stay with the group, and/or who do not heed the advice and instructions of our guides. For information regarding possible risk at international destinations, contact the Travel Advisory Section of the https://www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo. The decision to travel is totally yours (the passenger/customer/guest). For medical information on travel-related illness and vaccination please contact your doctor, local public health officials in advance of your travel. The receipt of your deposit and/or final payment will indicate that you have read these Terms and Conditions and that you have agreed to them.

​​FITNESS TO TRAVEL:

Hasan Travel & Tours reserves the right to refuse service and/or to terminate the participation of any tour participant whose health or mental condition or physical infirmity impedes the operation of the tour, or whose conduct is discourteous to others or incompatible with the best interests of the group.

Only applicable where both flights and tours are sold as a package. ATOL Number 10064

​TOUR AND CRUISE ITINERARIES:

All tours posted on our web site, all cruise schedules, whether they are seagoing or river cruise boats, may require a change in embarkation point and are subject to last minute cancellations and/or last minute changes.

Tours and cruises are operated by cruise lines/tour operators in their respective countries. We do not own any of these boats, coaches, firms, or operations, and same applies to any airline whether it is domestic or international.

In some extreme and rare cases such cruises, airlines, tour operators, may change or totally cancel the departure and offer an alternative that may or may not meet with the customer’s time frame. The customer agrees to hold us not responsible for such changes, as we only act as agents, and may wish to take out trip cancellation insurance.

​ PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS:

Each traveller must have a valid passport with at least 6 months minimum remaining validity to the date of return. The name on the passport must match the name on the ticket, otherwise you may not be able to travel and your insurance may be invalid. All children who are not already included on a valid passport will need to hold their own passports if they are to travel abroad.

​SIGHTSEEING – EXCURSIONS:

By MPV, taxi, minibus, coach, and/or sightseeing boat on a seat sharing basis. This includes admission fees to mosque, temples, museums, etc. A minibus, MPV or taxi may be used when the total number of participants is small. Unless you are on a private tour, touring will be seat in a coach.

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Masjid Al Aqsa – 6 Days Tour

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Al aqsa packages 2023.

Our Al Aqsa packages have been tailored for those wishing to visit Masjid Al-Aqsa & experience excellent guided tours. Learn about the great historic places of Islam, Christianity and Judaism.

The Al Aqsa tour dates , times and hotels have been carefully selected to ensure the best experience.

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We strive to take you on the holiday of your dreams. Making every moment magical, Hijrah Travel aims to allow travellers to discover the world’s diversity, explore new horizons, experience foreign countries and cultures as travel broadens people’s minds.

Al Aqsa Packages

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Deposit required – £225 to confirm booking.

Individuals & families welcome.

Limited spaces available.

Starts from

£ 550.00

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Masjid Al Aqsa

£ 495.00

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All-Inclusive Hajj and Umrah Packages for 2023 from the UK. Get yourself an Affordable Best Umrah Travel Agency in the UK. Book Your Umrah and hajj online with Hijrah Travel.

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I want to say thanks to sham who made our journey in Palestine memorable always made sure we were ok a very courageous brave woman who single handedly made sure that our teenager boys were not harassed by the police at the checkpoint not once were we felt uneasy. Trust me if you want to be safe and looked after then go with sham at Hijrah travels thanks again sham

Hi is just like to say how attentive and on the ball sham is this woman made our trip to Palestine unforgettable she never left a stone unturned to make sure our mother was picked up and dropped off regularly for our daily prayers and kept eye on all the group if they were in need of anything. We Definitely going again

Well where do we start the hotel was so amazing and the beds were so comfortable big thanks to our maid Amina who helped my mother to and from room to breakfast.

Hijrah travels you excelled in ur assurance every thing was on point.

Muslims Go Travel

al aqsa travel

Tips & Information on Travelling To Masjid Aqsa In 2024

al aqsa travel

If you’re anything like us, you’re probably worried about the thought of travelling to Palestine without an organised tour group. If you’re wanting to do this, don’t worry. We’ve done the trip and it’s easier and safer than we imagined.

Below I’ll guide you through the process so that you have a clear perspective on what needs to be done before you start planning and booking.

Disclaimer: as we flew into Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport which is an airport within Israel, the tips below will be tailored around that. Also, this article has been updated in December 2023 to give you the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-related entry requirements.

First Things First Booking Your Flights Entry Requirements (PCR Tests & Vaccinations) At Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport Getting Visas Getting To Masjid al-Aqsa From Tel Aviv Airport Hotels Food Tour Guides Safety In Palestine Weather Support The Local Palestinians Other Ways To Support When Visiting Currency, Money & Exchanging Must See Sites Conclusion

First things first….

Don’t believe what you hear! Many people out there are readily available to create fear by telling you that this is a trip that is filled with risks and that it’s dangerous to travel to the blessed lands and visit Masjid al-Aqsa. Don’t believe it! Many people have travelled there in the past, are still travelling and will always carry on going there regardless of the situation. We know people that travel there numerous times throughout the year and have never come back with a horror story. In fact, their stories were always pleasant to listen to. So, before you start planning, rid yourself of any fear. Is it safe to travel to Palestine? Is it safe to travel to Jerusalem? Is it safe to travel to Masjid al-Aqsa? Yes, yes and yes.

Booking Your Flights

If you’re planning to visit Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, you have two options in getting there. You can either fly into Israel’s own airport, Tel Aviv Ben Gurion, or fly into Amman, Jordan and make your way by road to Masjid al-Aqsa by crossing the border (also known as the Allenby Crossing).

Tip: Whilst it is convenient to fly directly to Tel Aviv airport, there is so much more value added to your trip if you choose to fly in and out of Amman in Jordan. Once in Amman, you can go to Masjid Aqsa immediately, or take some time to explore the beauty of Islamic heritage in Jordan. If you want to know more about the Islamic heritage in Jordan,  click here . This is why I think flying into Amman first is better, as it allows you to explore Jordan and Masjid Aqsa.

al aqsa travel

If you do want to fly into Amman because you’d like to visit a few sites there, remember that it is a bit of a trek getting from Amman to al-Aqsa. As we did not travel via that route our understanding of how it works is limited. A full guide guide on how to travel from Amman in Jordan to Jerusalem can be found here . We do know this much; you’ll have to get a taxi to the border, wait at the border (could be a long or short wait), and then get a taxi to al-Aqsa. On the way back to Amman for your return flight, you’ll have to do the same thing. This option takes longer and is definitely not cheap.

If you decide to fly to Tel Aviv, look for flights that fly out to the Tel Aviv airport (TLV) also known as the Ben Gurion airport. You can get direct and indirect flights from the following airports to Tel Aviv :

  • London Luton
  • London Stansted
  • London Heathrow
  • London Gatwick

Wizzair has just recently announced a new route from London Luton Airport to Tel Aviv which is great. You can get flights for a lot cheaper with them if you look in advance.

If booked early, flights range between £200 – £300 but this can go up in the peak summer months from June through to August. If you go with Wizzair, it can cost as low as £90 return (no luggage included).

If you want to know how to go about booking flights, click here.

Entry Requirements (COVID Tests & Vaccinations)

You don’t need a visa to enter Israel as a tourist. On entry, visitors are granted permission to stay for a period of up to 3 months.

No proof of vaccination is required to enter Israel.

From 20 May 2022 you do not need to present a negative result on a COVID test before boarding a flight or cruise to Israel or before arriving at an Israeli land border crossing. There is no requirement to complete a COVID test or isolate on arrival at any point of entry (airport or land border).

At Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport

You’ll get off the plane and walk a while till you get to customs. This part can be quite nerve racking but remain calm and positive. Remember, no matter what, in the end you will get through despite any waiting or questioning. The customs area where everyone waits in a queue to get their passports checked is surprisingly small and crammed with people. Again, remain positive and be patient . This is a must when travelling but especially here as you may be waiting longer than you do than in other countries.

al aqsa travel

Once you get to the desk to be checked by the immigration officer, if you look Muslim, have a Muslim name, or you are from the Middle East or India/Subcontinent, you may be directed to the somewhat small “waiting room” and then asked to wait for an officer to come and speak to you. It is quite usual for this to happen and you will find yourself in the waiting room for a few hours throughout which you will most likely be questioned once or twice. This is just something Israeli immigration police do. Just be patient. I would highly recommend you bring some form of entertainment with you as well as snacks as it can get boring and you will get hungry.

When we travelled to Masjid al-Aqsa, there were five of us. My wife and I, my younger brother and my wife’s two younger brothers. My wife and her two brothers were let through, but my brother and I were made to wait in the waiting room for further questioning for around 2 hours. I witnessed other Muslim families, which I had met in the plane, go through customs with their entire family without any further questioning whilst others were made to wait. I met other Muslims from different countries who did not come across as Muslims, but due to their Arabic name and where they came from, they were stopped.

I returned in June 2023 with my brother and was made to wait around for 5+ hours. They asked us both questions about why we were going to Masjid Aqsa, what we do in the UK and where we had travelled recently. I had travelled to Syria and Iraq, so they naturally asked me questions about these trips and after all this, they eventually let us through. That is the main point. They will eventually let you through if you comply and answer without getting too friendly or aggresive.

Travel From Amman

If you decide to travel to Masjid Aqsa via Amman, you can go to the King Hussein Allenby Bridge land border crossing. You first go through the Jordan border control which is somewhat less intense before you see yourself in the Israeli side. Same advice applies here. Be patient. Comply. Don’t be aggressive. And bring snacks and entertainment in case you are made to wait around.

Once your passports are taken by the customs police officer, he/she will perform their checks and may ask a few questions. You can expect questions about your occupation, any recent travel, whether you know anyone in the country, and several questions about your religious or family background. They may also ask whether you have travelled to Israel before, whether you intend to visit the West Bank, if you know anyone in the Palestinian Authority or other similar organisations. Security and questioning is pretty solid here so ensure that you give yourself enough time on your return flight.

Remember, they will not ask you every single question but just be ready to answer if they do ask any of the above. Be simple in your answers and do not raise your voice, attempt to be funny or be sarcastic. Do not be rude or overly friendly with the officers. Answer the questions with short responses and do not voluntarily give any information. At this time, to help with staying patient, either recite some Qur’an or recite Durood. The immigration officers may ask to access your email accounts, Facebook account or any other social media account, so ensure that you are ready to hand that over to them.

Tip : Make it clear to the officers and searchers that you are travelling to visit the Holy Lands and for general tourism. If it helps, mention some of the famous tourist sites such as Hebron, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Bethlehem. Most importantly remember, that the entire process is nothing personal and simply part of their interrogation process.

My video below also talks a lot about safety tips, airport travel tips and so much more!

Getting Visas

There is a 3 month free visa for those coming from the UK. The visa is a tourist visa and will be completely free of charge as long as you do not over stay the 3 month limit. Once the customs officers have checked your passports and have asked their questions, you will be handed your passport back as well as a small slip which will act as your visa. Your passport will not be stamped when the visa is handed over to you.

al aqsa travel

Getting To Masjid al-Aqsa From Tel Aviv Airport

al aqsa travel

The distance between Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport to Masjid al-Aqsa is 57.8KM taking around an hour to get there. There are several ways you can get from the airport to your accommodation/Masjid al-Aqsa:

  • Service Taxi (Shuttle Taxi) : This is one of the best options for Muslim travellers. The service taxi, operated by a company called Nesher, transports 10 – 15 passengers from the Ben Gurion Airport to their hotel doors. The cost for this will be around 60 – 70 Shekels and will take an hour.
  • Bus : this is the cheapest option. If you want to take the bus, take the 485 bus from the airport to Jerusalem Central Station/Yafo. From there take the 1 bus to Ma’ale HaShalom/Ma’alot Ir David. From there it will be a 3 – 4 minute walk to Masjid al-Aqsa. You will need to work out the distance from there to your hotel on Google Maps. The bus will cost you around 25 Shekels in total and the journey will take around 1 hour 30 minutes. If you like, from Jerusalem Central Bus Station, you can also get a taxi to your hotel .
  • Taxi : this is by far the most expensive form of transport from the airport to your hotel. It will cost you around 300 Shekels but is the most private and quickest way to get to your hotel. It’s not recommended unless you are in a hurry.
  • Hotel Transfer : aside from the above, you can contact your hotel to see if they have a service whereby they can arrange to pick you up and drop you off. This may or may not come at an extra charge.
  • Train : you can now take a train directly from the airport to Jerusalem New Station and from there you can take a bus, taxi or tram to Damascus Gate. The train should cost you around £5.

For a full range of Hotels in Palestine, visit www.palestinehotels.com . All the hotels on here are Arab owned and by staying at one of these hotels you will be supporting the local Palestinians.

However, if you want a recommendation and a hotel close by to Masjid al-Aqsa, go for Hashimi Hotel . With it’s super close distance to Masjid al-Aqsa (5 min walk), it’s breathtaking view from the hotel balcony, reasonable rates and friendly Muslim Jerusalemite staff, this hotel will definitely meet all your needs when coming to visit Masjid al-Aqsa. This was the only hotel we stayed at when visiting and is the one we are recommending.

al aqsa travel

What’s great about this hotel, apart from everything I’ve mentioned above, is that they have their very own Tour Manager; Shaykh Saleh. Shaykh Saleh took us on a remarkable and breathtaking trip around Palestine including all the sites that one would want to visit. If you do choose to stay at this hotel, they also offer transfers from and to the airport.

You can book your stay at Hashimi Hotel by clicking on the button below

al aqsa travel

Getting There : The hotel is located on Souq Khan ez-Zeit Street through the Damascus Gate. Follow the market path until you reach a fork, take a right and follow on through the market and look out for signs.

Other hotels such as The Golden Walls Hotel, Holy Land Hotel and National Hotel are great options that come with breakfast.

Final word on hotels; stay at an Arab owned hotel, so that the money supports the local Palestinians.

When looking for food in Jerusalem one doesn’t have to search very far as there are plenty of restaurants, cafe and shops selling delicious food. You will find traditional foods such as humous, falafel, shawarma etc and modern fast food such as burgers and grilled chicken etc. The narrow streets of the old city are brimming with shops and stalls selling fresh and dry fruits, sweets, juicy Medjoul dates and plenty more. 

al aqsa travel

Hashimi hotel provides a buffet breakfast and there’s an in house chef who will whip up a delicious fresh omelette for you every morning if you want. For an extra charge you can also have lunch and dinner included within your stay. What’s more, if you bring your own ingredients, the staff will allow you to use the hotel kitchen to make your own food. They just expect you to clean up after yourself. We noticed a South African family do this and it’s a great way to save and have fun!

As for prices, Jerusalem can be a little pricey. A chicken shawarma wrap with fries and a drink can set you back around 40-45 NIS (approx £10). However, in June 2023, we found street food options such as Shawarmas and pitta bread filled with chicken for around £4-£5. I recommend making your way to the many shops and restaurants opposite Damascus Gate.

Tour Guides

As we stayed in Hashimi Hotel and loved Shaykh Saleh’s Tour, we are going to recommend him. He will take you on a tour around Palestine’s most famous Islamic & historical sites including a detailed tour of Masjid al-Aqsa and the Old City in Jerusalem. His tours are spanned across two days with day one covering Masjid al-Aqsa and the Old City and the second day covering the famous sites of Palestine including Hebron. Contact details for Shaykh Saleh are below:

+972 52 257 2121 or +972 26 284 410

Just add him to your contact list and then send him a message via WhatsApp. I believe you have to prebook the tour and you have to be a guest of Hashimi Hotel to go on these tours. But do contact him to make sure. Shaykh Saleh really goes the extra mile when taking people for tours by giving extra commentary and taking his time to relate to his group.

Alternatively, if you are staying at another hotel, the staff there should have contact details of reputable tour guides.

Another recommended tour guide is Abdul Maajid who is an expert when it comes to Masjid al-Aqsa. As far as I know, he mainly does tours of the Masjid complex. His tours can range from 1 – 5 hours depending on the depth of knowledge and understanding wanted from those on the tour. His number is +972 52 295 1397.

Safety In Palestine

Jerusalem and the West Bank are both safe places for visitors whether Muslim or not. As the entry into Israel and Jerusalem is strictly guarded, you will have no worries when roaming around the streets in both places.

Tip : when in the Old City , feel free to roam around the different quarters . More on the quarters can be found here. Do read about it as it really helps to understand the people and place before you visit. It is quite common for Muslim visitors to enter the Jewish Quarter within the Old City and get a view of the Wailing Wall. When we were there, a friendly Jewish man approached us and offered to take us to the Wailing Wall. However, outside the Old City, it is advisable to remain in East Jerusalem as that is where Arabs are predominantly.

Jerusalem weather differs throughout the year. See below for details:

  • May – November : usually warm, dry and sunny with average temperatures reaching 25 – 30 degrees celsius.
  • December – April : usually colder and rainier with January being the wettest month. Average temperatures range between 10 – 15 degrees celsius.

Support The Local Palestinians

Whatever you choose to spend your money on, whether it may be accommodation, transportation, food, gifts and souvenirs, ensure that you are buying from an Arab. This way you are supporting the local Palestinians who have a very difficult time operating their businesses. Throughout the Old City you’ll find many Arab owned restaurants, gift shops, date shops, perfume shops, cloth shops, coffee shops and more. Walk in, browse through and buy your self something. Even if you do not buy something, have a chat with the Palestinians and lend an attentive ear to their stories.

Other ways to support the local Palestinians when visiting

Visit Refugee Camps – speak to your tour guide to have this arranged for you. By visiting a refugee camp you get to witness how the Palestinians live and how poverty has had a devastating effect on their lives.

Visit an Orphanage – this is truly rewarding! Not only is this a fun and enjoyable experience (getting to play and hug orphan children!), it is also very rewarding and satisfying knowing that you’ve touched their lives by simply visiting them. Though the kids are left with no mother and father, they are all exceptionally energetic and ready to sing you a song or recite some Qur’an. Speak to your tour guide or hotel staff about arranging this.

Donate At Al Zakah Quds Committee of Jerusalem – this is where we donated some funds. If you would like to donate some money towards any orphans, widows and Palestinian families living in poverty, visit their Zakah office. They have two offices; one within the Old City, located near the Chain Gate of Masjid al-Aqsa (close by to the Ablution Gate Entrances and Suq El Qatanin Street). Alternatively, you can visit their secondary office (which we did), which is located on Nablus Road next door to the Saad and Saeed Mosque. From the Damascus Gate, this will take you around 10 minutes by walk. If neither options can be fulfilled, this can be handed to the Imams of Masjid al-Aqsa. Just remember to specify what the donation is for (zakah, sadaqah, lillah etc.).

Donate To The Maintenance of Masjid al-Aqsa : there are a couple of ways to do this. Inside the Masjid there are donation boxes which you could put money in. Alternatively, you can hand money over to the Imams of Masjid al-Aqsa. We donated money in various ways when we there and on one occasion donated some money directly to one of the Imams who said he will put the money towards the development and maintenance of the Masjid.

If you have some spare time, you can also lend a helping hand towards basic work in the Masjid, such as cleaning and vacuuming the carpets of the Masjid. It’s an awesome way to show that you care.

Currency, Money & Exchanging

In Israel, as well as the Palestinian territories the currency that is used is Israeli New Shekel (ILS). Each shekel is divided into 100 agorot (singular: agora). You can get 20, 50, 100 and 200 Shekel denominations. Cash machines are widely available and credit/debit cards are accepted around the country. Contact your bank prior to travelling to see if there are any charges you need to be aware of.

al aqsa travel

To exchange your money, head over to Salah ad Din Street and Damascus Gate; there are exchange places along both these places which offer decent rates. You can also get your money exchanged before your trip.

Tip : Avoid getting money changed at banks as they charge very high commission rates.

To find the latest exchange rates,  click here .

Must See Sites

  • Masjid al-Aqsa
  • Dome of the Rock
  • Church of the Holy Sepulchre
  • Via Dolorosa
  • Wailing Wall
  • Masjid Omar, Bethlehem
  • Masjid Omar, Jerusalem
  • Tomb of the Patriarchs, Hebron
  • Gold Market
  • Four Quarters of the Old City, Jerusalem
  • Maqam Musa in Wadi Tih
  • Mamilla Cemetery
  • Mount Olive

If you do end up going, make sure to share your experiences with others when you return, whether that be through writing or speaking. Visiting the blessed lands is possible and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A place you can go that is filled with history, various religious traditions and more importantly a place where it’s people made huge sacrifices. Jerusalem is one of the most holiest places in the world with Masjid al-Aqsa being the third most scared site in Islam. By travelling to the blessed lands you also guarantee to be immersed in history, hospitable Palestinian people, playful children, delicious foods, adventure and a memory that will never be forgotten.

My final tip to my readers is this; go now whilst you can !

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Muslim Tours

Global Leader in Socially Conscious Travel.

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Bring Islamic history and the sunnah of the Prophet (S.A.W.) to life with extraordinary Muslim group trips to Palestine and Israel through MEJDI Tours.

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As the land of the first qibla, the Holy Land has much to offer, including Salat at the Masjid al-Aqsa, excursions to classic Umayyad and Ayyubid sites, and  MEJDI exclusives , such as home-cooked meals, traditional musical performances, activities with Palestinian artists, students, journalists, poets, refugees, and much more. With special access to hard-to-reach sites—and decades of Israeli-Palestinian relationship building to ensure a smooth, safe trip—MEJDI helps Muslim groups explore their Islamic heritage, connecting travelers to other members of the global ummah, including local imams, sheikhs, policymakers, tribal leaders, and more.

While any company can show you sites and stones, MEJDI helps group leaders choose an honorable path by ensuring your tour is founded on the Islamic tenets of justice, peace, and socially and environmentally responsible  business practices. Just as  our name  means “honor” and “respect” in Arabic, MEJDI’s goal is to honor both clients and communities, enabling groups to honor the areas they visit by supporting Palestinian businesses and engaging with the local Palestinian community. The result is a uniquely  customized tour  like no other that fits your group’s values, needs, and goals.

Renowned and time-honored, these sites are must-sees for a reason.

  • Masjid Al-Aqsa and Qubbat as-Sakhrah (Dome of the Rock)
  • Mount of Olives (Jabal Zeitoun)
  • Masjid Umar, Al Quds
  • Hebron (al-Halil)
  • Ibrahmi Mosque and the Tombs of Ibrahim, ‘Ishaq, and Ya’qub
  • Islamic Museum
  • Rockefeller Museum
  • The Dead Sea
  • Tomb of David
  • Participate in Eid celebrations, such as Ramadan (including Laylat al-Qadr) and Eid al-Adha
  • Tours of the Muslim Quarter
  • Jumu’ah prayer with local mu’minun
  • Luxury spa treatments
  • Shopping in the Jerusalem Shuk
  • Camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities
  • Tour East Jerusalem neighborhood
  • Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock (Qubbat as-Sakhrah)
  • Akko and the Shrine of the Baha’u’llah
  • Caesarea Maritima
  • Nimrod’s Fortress
  • Christian holy sites (Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Church of the Nativity)
  • Jewish holy sites (Western Wall, Masada, Yad Vashem)
  • Hamat Gader hot springs
  • Crusader history tours
  • Rafting, Rappelling, ATV excursions, and other outdoor activities
  • Visit Al-Jazzar Mosque in Akko

Behind-the-scenes access and unique experiences only MEJDI can offer.

  • the Mahmoud Darwish Museum
  • Yasser Arafat’s Tom
  • Dinner and homestays in Palestinian homes
  • Visits or volunteering in Palestinian refugee camps
  • Olive harvesting
  • Interfaith meetings
  • Visit a Bedouin encampment
  • Meet with Palestinian politicians
  • Meet with local religious leaders, including the imam of the al-Aqsa Mosque
  • Meet with Palestinian artists, students, journalists, poets and writers
  • Meet with organization leaders
  • Meet with Palestinian and Israeli peace builders and social change activists
  • Traditional music performances
  • Meet and learn about the Palestinian Christian community
  • Dual narrative tours, which use our groundbreaking multiple perspectives approach to tourism to let you hear from guides and speakers representing diverse religious, cultural, political, and ethnic narratives
  • Golan Heights
  • Horns of Hattin
  • Rosh Hanikra
  • Visit the former Palestinian villages at Ein Kerem and Lifta
  • Druze villages, including Majd al-Shams and Daliyat al-Carmel
  • Homestays with local Muslims
  • Discussions with Palestinian and Israeli peace builders and social change activists
  • Meet with local Muslim leaders, including the imam from the al-Aqsa Mosque
  • Meet with Arabs living in Jaffa and Nazareth
  • Meet with Israeli politicians
  • Meet with Sufi groups
  • Learn about the Baha’i community in Akko

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عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ لَا تُشَدُّ الرِّحَالُ إِلَّا إِلَى ثَلَاثَةِ مَسَاجِدَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَمَسْجِدِ الرَّسُولِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى

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Everyone has different approaches and priorities when it comes to travel planning. As we appreciate that our clients are travelling for the most unforgettable beneficial experiences, Ibadah Tours aims to save you money whilst providing the efficiency you need to ensure your journey is seamless. We offer the most competitive rates around and take on the hard work of searching and booking, so you can concentrate on your Ibadah. Our team members have various areas of expertise in order to cover all of our clients’ travel needs. Whether you’re planning an upcoming trip for Hajj, Umrah Al Aqsa or a worldwide tour , we make the booking process easy and enjoyable.

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Booking with us is the most convenient way to create a personalized Umrah package or Halal holiday that you can be sure will suit you, without the big price tag. All you have to do is ring us , and our travel advisers will take care of the rest. Alternatively, you can book online.

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Temperature checks will be taken before trips for your safety.

al aqsa travel

Wearing masks on your journey helps keep everyone safe.

al aqsa travel

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al aqsa travel

All guests and staff are to adhere to sanitizing procedures at all times.

al aqsa travel

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al aqsa travel

Jerusalem  

  In Jerusalem, we will tour the Old City beginning with Masjid al-Aqsa, the third holiest masjid in the world, where every Prophet prayed.

We will experience walking in the footsteps of many Prophets and Muslim leaders, such as Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) and Salahuddin Ayyubi, as we explore the Al-Aqsa complex stopping at the Dome of the Rock, Masjid Al-Qibli, Masjid Omar, and Masjid Buraq all while hearing the story of Isra and Mi’raj.

We will continue the tour of Jerusalem with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where it is believed Isa (AS) was raised, and conclude at Kotel, the Western Wall.

al aqsa travel

  Bethlehem, home of the birthplace of Isa (AS) (Beyt Al Rahim), the Church of the Nativity. In the Manger Square, we will pray where the second Khalifa prayed after conquering Palestine, Masjid Umar, the oldest and only masjid in Bethlehem currently.

While in the West Bank we will also visit The Walled Off Hotel, which sits adjacent to the wall separating the West Bank from other parts of Palestine and has become a center of political artistic expression.

al aqsa travel

6 Night Trip W/ Shaikh AE

Sep 28 – oct 4, inclusions/exclusions.

  • 6 Nights Accommodations
  • Daily Breakfast at Hotel
  • Group Ground Transport to Hotels and Airports
  • Guided Tour
  • Virtual information session prior to departure

EXCLUSIONS:

  • Lunch & Dinners
  • Visa Costs & Processing (if needd)

Jerusalem : Ritz Hotel

International Flight NOT Included

Led by shaykh abu eesa niamatullah.

al aqsa travel

Land Only (Arrival Sep 28 – Return Oct 4)

All room occupancy must be within family individuals due to Covid-19 guidelines. Single travelers must choose Single room

Trip at a Glance

Day 1  –  Arrival to Jerusalem (via Tel Aviv airport)

Day 2  –  Jerusalem

Day 3  – Jerusalem 

Day 4   – Day Tour of the Aqsa complex and old city in Jerusalem

Day 5  –  Jerusalem

Day 6  – Jumuaa in Jerusalem

Day 7   –  Transfer for your international Departure flight

6 Night Ramadan Trip

Mar 26 – april 1.

  • Daily Suhur at Hotel
  • Cost of PCR test on return
  • Visa Costs & Processing

In case of any quarantine due to COVID all

expenses are not included for any days. Vaccination is required for travel.

Jerusalem : Golden Walls Hotel

Land Only (Arrival March 26 – Return April 1)

Day 3  –  Day Tour of the Aqsa complex andold city in Jerusalem

Day 4   –  Day to Tour to Hebron and Bethlehem

6 Night Trip

May 28 – june 3.

Land Only (Arrival May 28 – Return June 3)

Day 2  – Day Tour of the Aqsa complex andold city in Jerusalem

Day 3  – Day Tour to Hebron and Bethlehem

Day 4   –  Day Tour to Jericho and Hisham Palace

Day 5  – Day Tour to Nazareth and Acre

July 2 – July 8

Land Only (July 2 – Return July 8)

7 Night Trip

Dec 24 – dec 31.

  • 7 Nights Accommodations

LAND ONLY PACKAGE DETAILS

Day 6  – Free day to enjoy the old city on your own pace

Day 7  – Jumuaa in Jerusalem

Day 8   –  Transfer for your international Departure flight

Columbus, OH

Los Angeles, CA

For more information please contact us at (866)327-7252

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IDF fires artillery shells into Gaza as fighting between Israeli troops and Islamist Hamas militants continues on Oct. 12, 2023.

Middle East crisis — explained

The conflict between Israel and Palestinians — and other groups in the Middle East — goes back decades. These stories provide context for current developments and the history that led up to them.

Israel ponders restricting access to one of Islam's holiest sites for Ramadan

al aqsa travel

Jewish visitors walk protected by Israeli security forces at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, also known as the Temple Mount complex to Jews, in Jerusalem on April 9, 2023, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, also coinciding with the Jewish Passover holiday. Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Jewish visitors walk protected by Israeli security forces at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, also known as the Temple Mount complex to Jews, in Jerusalem on April 9, 2023, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, also coinciding with the Jewish Passover holiday.

TEL AVIV, Israel – The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is always a period of heightened tensions around Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, as hundreds of thousands of worshipers line up to enter one of Islam's holiest sites to pray.

But a proposal for new restrictions on worshipers entering the site — also sacred to Jews as the foundation of their ancient temple — by Israel's far-right national security minister has raised tensions at a time when Israel is waging a war in Gaza that has cost tens of thousands of lives, following an attack by Hamas that was the deadliest since Israel's founding.

And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet dismissed the controversial plan proposed by Itamar Ben-Gvir to limit access to the mosque even more than in previous years.

Ben-Gvir, who lives in a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Israeli security forces should prevent Palestinian residents from the occupied West Bank from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque, built on huge stone platform in Jerusalem's Old City and known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount.

The plan would also prohibit Palestinians with Israeli citizenship below the age of 70 from visiting the site during Ramadan, which begins next month.

Ben-Gvir, an ultra-nationalist member of Netanyahu's cabinet, said the restrictions were necessary because "we should not allow residents from the [Palestinian] Authority to enter Israel in any way." Israel "cannot take chances and risks."

Netanyahu's office told NPR the prime minister is "considering Ben-Gvir's opinion on placing restrictions during Ramadan," but added that "there are still no concrete plans."

An Israeli far-right leader's Al-Aqsa visit sparks outrage and calls for U.N. meeting

An Israeli far-right leader's Al-Aqsa visit sparks outrage and calls for U.N. meeting

An earlier statement released by his office said he had "made a balanced decision that allows for religious freedom within the limits of the security needs as established by heads of the security establishment."

The prime minister's office added a note of caution, saying that "any reports to the contrary are false." That reflected fears in Jerusalem that harsher restrictions could lead to a spike in unrest at a highly sensitive time.

Israel is already under mounting international pressure not to push its Gaza offensive into the crowded southern city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians who have fled fighting in the Gaza Strip have sought shelter.

The Gaza health ministry said this week that more than 29,000 people have been killed since the start of the war, triggered by an attack on Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people. Another 240 were taken hostage.

Hamas is still holding 134 hostages and on Sunday, Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz issued an ultimatum to Hamas: release all the Israelis still captive in Gaza before Ramadan or "the fighting will continue everywhere, to include the Rafah area."

A full-scale land invasion of Rafah would be a humanitarian disaster "beyond imagination," said Dr. Teresa Zakaria, the World Health Organization's incident manager for the conflict in the occupied Palestinian territories.

For its part, the United States insists that Israel needs a credible plan to evacuate the more than a million Palestinians in Rafah before it launches an operation.

And in the West Bank, tensions have also been rising since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, with an escalation in attacks by armed Jewish settlers against Palestinians in recent months. In Israel, there remains deep anger over Netanyahu's response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and his failure to bring home all of the hostages.

Backlash to the plan

For worshipers like Rauf Abu Nab, the Ben-Gvir plan would cut off access to the third holiest site in the world for Muslims after Mecca and Medina. As a Jerusalem resident, he would ordinarily be able to attend prayers at the mosque.

"He will not be able to implement this. He is destroying the whole image of Israel," said Abu Nab, 65, as he drove out of Silwan, an East Jerusalem neighborhood that sits in the shadow of the Al-Aqsa compound.

"No one stands in the path of God," he said, before driving off.

Israel has imposed restrictions on access to the compound in the past, including preventing tourists and Jewish Israelis from entering during Ramadan in the years before 2000.

In 2022, restrictions were imposed on most men over 40 from the West Bank, although Israeli security forces allowed women and young children from the occupied West Bank to enter Jerusalem without a permit.

Photos: Border tensions rise as Israel confirms Rafah as its next military target

The Picture Show

Photos: border tensions rise as israel confirms rafah as its next military target.

Ben-Gvir's latest proposals have caused consternation in Jerusalem.

Mustafa Abu Sway, a member of the Al-Aqsa Mosque advisory council, said it's disappointing to see the compound being used as political tool.

"It's a rallying point for right and the right of the right of the right [wing] in terms of extremism. It's nationalism in a very twisted sense. It's a mosque, a Noble Sanctuary," said Abu Sway.

"Al Aqsa should have been spared the internal Israeli politics," he added.

Abu Sway points out that the Second Intifada — or uprising — erupted in the aftermath of the September 2000 visit to the Al-Aqsa compound by Ariel Sharon, who at the time was running for prime minister. Riots began the following day, starting a period of unrest that lasted five years. It was a campaign tactic and it worked, said Abu Sway, as Sharon was elected the following year.

Officials from Shin Bet, Israel's domestic intelligence service, declined a request for comment on the national security minister's proposals.

Hamas issued a statement condemning the potential restrictions and called on Palestinians to "reject this criminal decision and go to Al-Aqsa Mosque."

It also issued a warning: should the freedom to worship there be prohibited, "it will not pass without accountability."

Ben-Gvir's proposal has also brought backlash from opposition members within the Israeli government.

Knesset member Ahmad Tibi, chairman of the Hadash-Ta'al party, said Ben-Gvir and Netanyahu were trying to stir unrest among Palestinians. Labor Party Knesset member Gilad Kariv accused the prime minister of "putting the security of the citizens of Israel in danger" by courting far-right elements of his coalition.

Given the acutely tense state of affairs in the region, and with Israel warning of a new offensive in south Gaza during Ramadan, there are fears over any fallout from the new restrictions at the mosque.

The U.S. has again vetoed a U.N. resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza

The U.S. has again vetoed a U.N. resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza

"Prohibiting Muslims from praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque is really what could instigate problems ahead," said Abu Sway.

Abeer Zayyad, a historian, archeologist and expert on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, said the restrictions are part of a pattern. She noted that before 2000, tourists and Jewish Israelis weren't allowed into Al Aqsa during Ramadan. Then, they were allowed in for the first 10 days. Then the first 20 days. And such attendance increases the Israeli security presence and raises fears among Muslims that the status of the site is changing.

"But its not about the numbers. It's about the fact that they don't want us," she said.

She said that if the Ben-Gvir plan is enacted, it would create "a dangerous situation."

"I think the whole world is worried about that ... I think even Israelis themselves are worried about that," said Zayyad.

"A raw, nuclear nerve"

Gershon Baskin, an Israeli social and political activist and former hostage negotiator, told NPR that any move to further limit Palestinian access to the Al-Aqsa compound would likely backfire.

He described Al-Aqsa as "a raw, nuclear nerve."

"Anytime someone touches it, it blows up in our face," said Baskin.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque – and all that the compound encompasses, including the Dome of the Rock, believed by Muslims to mark the place where the Prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven, is a "symbol of unity," for Palestinians.

"It's the one place that all Palestinians feel like they have control," said Baskin.

And control is something Palestinians say they now lack in virtually all elements of their lives – as Israeli security restrictions have increased in the aftermath of Oct. 7.

Zayyad said she feared every step in this conflict - even ones taken outside Gaza - will "take us to a different level and a different situation."

"None of us knows where this will end. It's going to be a very tough year in Jerusalem."

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Palestinians at Al-Aqsa hospital mourn victims of airstrikes in central Gaza

Mourners at Al-Aqsa hospital paid their respects and prayed for victims who were killed in Israeli strikes in central Gaza. (AP video by Wafaa Shurafa)

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al aqsa travel

Jordan condemns storming of Al Aqsa by Israeli extremists

A MMAN — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned the storming of Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif by extremists on Tuesday, who raised the Israeli flag within its courtyards under the protection of Israeli occupation forces, and obstructed worshippers' access.

The extremist action represents a "blatant" and unacceptable violation of international law and the historical and legal status quo of Jerusalem and its holy sites, according to the ministry statement.

The ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah said that Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, with its full area of 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, with no Israeli sovereignty over it or over occupied East Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites.

He called on Israel, as the occupying force, to end all practices and violations against Al Aqsa Mosque and to respect its sanctity.

He emphasised the fact that Al Aqsa Mosque, with its total area of 144 dunums, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, reiterating that the Jordan-run Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Affairs Depaartment is the sole authority able to supervise its affairs and manage entries to the site, according to international law and the legal and historical status quo.

Jordan condemns storming of Al Aqsa by Israeli extremists

Watch CBS News

At least 27 killed in central Gaza airstrike as U.S. envoy visits the region

Updated on: May 19, 2024 / 7:29 PM EDT / CBS/AP

An Israeli airstrike targeting a house in a central Gaza refugee camp killed at least 27 people, mostly women and children, according to a hospital in the area, The Associated Press reported. The Civil Defense suggested the death toll was higher.

The bombing on Sunday happened as fighting raged across northern Gaza and Israel's leaders aired divisions over who should govern the Palestinian territory after the war, now in its eighth month . It also came as a United States envoy visited the region and met with various leaders through the middle of the week.

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan was scheduled to meet with top Israeli leaders on Sunday to discuss an ambitious U.S. plan for Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel and help the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza in exchange for a path to eventual statehood.

On Monday, Roger Carstens, the U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs, is set to travel to Doha, Qatar, to participate in a panel at the Global Security Forum called "The Impacts of Hostage-Taking by State and Non-State Actors," according to the State Department. Officials said Carstens' visit would last through Wednesday, and, while there, he would also "meet with Qatari and other attending government representatives and civil society groups to discuss wrongful detention and hostage issues."

Israel Palestinians

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced criticism from his own War Cabinet , with his main political rival, Benny Gantz, threatening to leave the government if a plan is not formulated by June 8 that includes an international administration for postwar Gaza.

Netanyahu, who is opposed to Palestinian statehood, has rejected those proposals, saying Israel will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza and partner with local Palestinians unaffiliated with Hamas or the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.

Gantz' withdrawal would not bring down Netanyahu's coalition government, but it would leave him more reliant on far-right allies who support the "voluntary emigration" of Palestinians from Gaza, full military occupation and the rebuilding of Jewish settlements there.

Even as the discussions of postwar planning take on new weight, the war is still raging with no end in sight. In recent weeks, Hamas has regrouped in parts of northern Gaza that were heavily bombed in the early days of the war and where Israeli ground troops had already operated.

The airstrike in Nuseirat, a built-up Palestinian refugee camp in central Gaza dating back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, killed at least 27 people, including 10 women and seven children, according to records at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby town of Deir al-Balah, which received the bodies. The hospital had said in an initial statement to AFP that it "received 20 fatalities and several wounded after an Israeli air strike targeted a house belonging to the Hasan family in Al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza." The Civil Defense in Gaza later said 31 bodies were recovered after a bombing in the Nuseirat camp at dawn.

A separate strike on a street in Nuseirat killed another five people, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service. In Deir al-Balah, a strike killed Zahed al-Houli, a senior officer in the Hamas-run police, and another man, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

APTOPIX Israel Palestinians

Palestinians reported more airstrikes and heavy fighting in northern Gaza, which has been largely isolated by Israeli troops for months and where the World Food Program says a famine is underway.

The Civil Defense says the strikes hit several homes near Kamal Adwan Hospital in the town of Beit Lahiya, killing at least 10 people. Footage released by the rescuers showed them trying to pull the body of a woman out of the rubble as explosions echo in the background and smoke rises.

In the urban Jabliya refugee camp nearby, residents reported a heavy wave of artillery and airstrikes.

"The situation is very difficult," said Abdel-Kareem Radwan, a 48-year-old in Jabaliya. He said the whole eastern side has become a battle zone where the Israeli fighter jets "strike anything that moves."

Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesman for the Civil Defense, said rescuers had recovered at least 150 bodies, more than half of them women and children, since Israel launched the operation in Jabaliya last week. He said around 300 homes have been "completely destroyed."

Israel launched its offensive after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, in which Palestinian militants stormed into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting some 250.

The war has killed at least 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Around 80% of the population of 2.3 million Palestinians have been displaced within the territory, often multiple times.

Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames the high death toll and destruction on Hamas, which positions fighters, tunnels and rocket launchers in dense, residential areas.

Netanyahu's critics, including thousands of protesters who took to the streets again on Saturday, accused him of prolonging the war and rejecting a cease-fire deal that would release hostages so he can avoid a reckoning over the security failures that led to the attack.

Polls show that Gantz, a political centrist, would likely succeed Netanyahu if early elections are held. That would expose Netanyahu to prosecution on longstanding corruption allegations.

Netanyahu denies any political motives and says the offensive must continue until Hamas is dismantled and the estimated 100 hostages held in Gaza, and the remains of more than 30 others, are returned. He has said it's pointless to discuss postwar arrangements while Hamas is still fighting because the militants have threatened anyone who cooperates with Israel.

Netanyahu also faces pressure from Israel's closest ally, the United States, which has provided crucial military aid and diplomatic cover for the offensive while expressing growing frustration with Israel's conduct of the war.

President Joe Biden's administration recently held up a shipment of 3,500 bombs of up to 2,000 pounds each and said the U.S. would not provide offensive weapons for a full-scale invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, citing fears of a humanitarian catastrophe.

But last week, after Israel launched what it says is a limited operation in Rafah, the administration told legislators it would move forward with the sale of $1 billion worth of arms, tank ammunition, tactical vehicles and mortar rounds, according to congressional aides.

Sullivan is expected in Israel after meeting with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday. The administration has been working on an ambitious plan in which Saudi Arabia would recognize Israel and join other Arab states in helping to administer and rebuild Gaza, in exchange for a U.S. defense pact and help in building a civilian nuclear program.

But U.S. and Saudi officials say that deal requires Israel to agree to a credible path to eventual Palestinian statehood, something Netanyahu has repeatedly ruled out.

In Gantz' ultimatum, he expressed support for normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. But he also said "we will not allow any outside power, friendly or hostile, to impose a Palestinian state on us."

  • Benjamin Neta​nyahu

More from CBS News

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ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Hamas leaders

U.S. and Saudi Arabia near potentially historic security deal

Biden courts battleground state Black voters with two big speeches

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Airstrike kills 27 in central Gaza and fighting rages as Israel’s leaders are increasingly divided

Palestinians Wait for aid trucks to cross in central Gaza Strip on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

Palestinians Wait for aid trucks to cross in central Gaza Strip on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli airstrike killed 27 people in central Gaza, mostly women and children, and fighting with Hamas raged across the north on Sunday as Israel’s leaders aired divisions over who should govern Gaza after the war, now in its eighth month.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces criticism from the other members of his War Cabinet, with main political rival Benny Gantz threatening to leave the government if a plan is not created by June 8 that includes an international administration for postwar Gaza. His departure would leave Netanyahu more reliant on far-right allies who support full military occupation of Gaza and rebuilding of Jewish settlements there.

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Netanyahu to discuss an ambitious U.S. plan for Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel and help the Palestinian Authority govern Gaza in exchange for a path to eventual statehood. Netanyahu’s office in a statement said they focused on Israel’s military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, humanitarian aid and hostages held in Gaza.

Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood, saying Israel will maintain open-ended security control over Gaza and partner with local Palestinians unaffiliated with Hamas or the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.

The U.S. said Sullivan said Israel should “connect its military operations to a political strategy” and proposed measures to ensure more aid “surges” into Gaza.

In recent weeks, Hamas militants have regrouped in parts of northern Gaza that were heavily bombed in the war’s early days.

The airstrike in Nuseirat, a built-up Palestinian refugee camp in central Gaza dating back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, killed 27 people, including 10 women and seven children, according to records at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in nearby Deir al-Balah, which received the bodies.

A separate strike on a Nuseirat street killed five people, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency service. In Deir al-Balah, a strike killed Zahed al-Houli, a senior officer in the Hamas-run police, and another man, according to the hospital.

Palestinians reported more airstrikes and heavy fighting in northern Gaza, which has been largely isolated by Israeli troops for months and where the World Food Program says a famine is underway.

The Civil Defense said strikes hit several homes near Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, killing at least 10 people. And in the urban Jabaliya refugee camp nearby, residents reported a heavy wave of artillery and airstrikes.

Abdel-Kareem Radwan, 48, said the whole eastern side has become a battle zone where the Israeli fighter jets “strike anything that moves.”

Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesman for the Civil Defense, said rescuers had recovered at least 150 bodies, more than half of them women and children, since Israel launched the operation in Jabaliya last week.

Israel launched its offensive after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack in which militants stormed into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250. Mourners gathered Sunday for the funeral of one of four hostages killed in the attack whose bodies were recently found by Israeli troops in Gaza.

The war has killed at least 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between combatants and civilians. Around 80% of the population of 2.3 million Palestinians have been displaced within the territory, often multiple times.

“We need a decent life to live,” said Reem Al-Bayed, who left Gaza City and shelters with thousands in the gritty coastal Muwasi camp in the south without basic facilities like wells. “All countries live a decent life except us.”

She took a quick mouthful of bread before tearing the rest into pieces for half a dozen children, then poured them a can of beans.

Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames the high death toll on Hamas, which it says operates in dense residential areas.

Netanyahu’s critics, including thousands of Israeli protesters, accuse him of prolonging the war and rejecting a cease-fire deal so he can avoid a reckoning over security failures. They also seek early elections in which polls show that Gantz, a political centrist, would likely succeed Netanyahu. That would expose Netanyahu to prosecution on longstanding corruption allegations.

Netanyahu denies any political motives and says the offensive must continue until Hamas is dismantled and the estimated 100 hostages still held with the remains of more than 30 others are returned.

Netanyahu also faces pressure from Israel’s closest ally, the United States, which has provided military aid and diplomatic cover for the offensive while expressing growing frustration with Israel’s conduct of the war and the humanitarian crisis.

President Joe Biden’s administration recently held up a shipment of 3,500 bombs and said the U.S. would not provide offensive weapons for a full-scale invasion of Rafah, citing fears of a humanitarian catastrophe.

But last week, after Israel launched what it called a limited operation in Rafah, the Biden administration told legislators it would move forward with the sale of $1 billion worth of arms, according to congressional aides.

The Palestinian Crossings Authority in a statement said humanitarian aid has not entered through the vital Rafah border crossing with Egypt since the military operation began almost two weeks ago.

Magdy reported from Cairo and Krauss from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville in Washington contributed.

related stories

  • Member of Israel’s War Cabinet says he’ll quit the government June 8 unless there’s a new war plan
  • Trucks rolling across new US pier into Gaza, but challenges remain to getting enough aid in

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May 19, 2024 - Israel-Gaza news

By Kathleen Magramo, Sophie Tanno and Antoinette Radford, CNN

US President Joe Biden says in graduation speech that he's called for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza

From CNN's Michael Williams

US President Joe Biden speaks at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 19.

US President Joe Biden said he has called for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza while delivering a commencement address at Morehouse College in Atlanta.

“What’s happening in Gaza and Israel is heartbreaking," he said.

"It's a humanitarian crisis in Gaza," the president said. "That's why I've called for an immediate ceasefire — an immediate ceasefire to stop the fighting and bring the hostages home."

Some context : Biden is speaking at the  graduation ceremony for one of the nation's preeminent historically Black colleges. His speech comes after pro-Palestinian protests have  roiled college campuses  elsewhere across the country for weeks.

Read more about Biden's speech here .

The Israeli military says its forces are fighting and carrying out strikes across Gaza

From Michael Schwartz in Jerusalem 

The Israel Defense Forces has given further details of its ground operations around the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza, now into their second week.

The IDF said it has made dozens of strikes in the area to assist the forces who are fighting "armed terrorist cells" on the ground.

The military said “the soldiers have located large quantities of weapons, including explosives, anti-tank missiles, AK-47s, drones and grenades.”

The Israeli military has re-entered parts of northern and central Gaza, it says, to combat efforts by Hamas to re-establish itself in these areas.

Reports from the ground: Displaced Palestinians in Jabalya tell CNN that heavy Israeli bombardment has wrought "death and horror" at the camp. Some 300 houses were completely destroyed over the course of seven days, according to Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson for the civil defense emergency services in Gaza.

Bassal's teams had recovered at least 150 bodies and rescued hundreds of wounded people at the refugee camp as of Saturday, he told CNN.

In southern Gaza: The IDF said the Israeli Air Force killed a senior Hamas operative in Rafah. The IDF claims he was actively involved in the smuggling of weapons and funds in the Gaza Strip.

Overall, the IDF said the Air Force had struck dozens of targets, including what it claimed were "two tactical-level Hamas commanders who were preparing to attack IDF troops in the Rafah area."

What to know Sunday as Israeli bombardment leaves dozens dead, and the nation's war cabinet faces an ultimatum

From CNN staff

At least 35 people, including seven children and nine women were killed in an Israeli airstrike on central Gaza in the early hours of Sunday, officials at Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital said.

The hospital said the death toll from the strike in Nuseirat camp steadily rose as more bodies were brought in. It appears many of the casualties resulted from the destruction of a block of houses in the area.

Video showed civil defense teams pulling bodies from the rubble, but without heavy equipment to move the larger parts of the wreckage.

The strike on the camp comes as areas in northern Gaza have also come under constant Israeli bombardment.

If you're just joining our coverage, here's what to know this Sunday:

  • Strikes in the north : A journalist working for CNN in Gaza reported that several strikes have hit the north of the enclave since Saturday night, as a hospital director there warns of "difficult and harsh" conditions. The journalist said at least six people were killed in Israeli shelling on a house in the Daraj neighborhood, which lies east of Gaza City. Three others were killed, and a number of people injured, in the shelling of a school in the same area.
  • "Dire" food access in Gaza : A United Nations humanitarian agency said in a report released Friday that Gaza is facing a "dire" food situation as barely 300 aid trucks have entered the strip since Israel began invading Rafah. Israeli forces seized the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on May 7, causing aid deliveries to be halted there. The United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said more than 3,000 "metric tons of food in main warehouses have become inaccessible by food security partners due to ongoing hostilities."

Meanwhile, in Israel:

  • Benny Gantz threatens to quit : Former Israeli defense minister and war cabinet member Benny Gantz is demanding that the cabinet lays out a plan for the war against Hamas by June 8. In the remarks, made on Saturday night , Gantz warned if his demands are not met, he will withdraw from the government.
  • Body of Shani Louk returned : The parents of  Shani Louk, the German-Israeli woman  who was killed while trying to escape the Nova music festival on October 7, have expressed gratitude at being able to lay her body to rest after it was recovered from the Gaza Strip in an Israel Defense Forces operation. Louk, 23, attended the Nova music festival just inside Israel before it was attacked by gunmen from Palestinian militant group Hamas. Her lifeless body was seen in video on the back of a Hamas truck after the attack.

Israeli strikes pound northern Gaza, journalist says, as hospital director warns of dwindling supplies

From Abdul Qader Sabbah in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, Mohammad Al Sawalhi in central Gaza, Abeer Salman, and CNN's Sarah Sirgany and Tim Lister

Debris is seen outside Al-Awda Hospital in Beit Lahia, Gaza, on May 18.

A journalist working for CNN in northern Gaza has reported several strikes on the region since Saturday night, while a hospital director in the enclave's north has warned of "difficult and harsh" conditions.

The journalist said six people had been killed as a result of Israeli forces shelling a house in the Daraj neighborhood east of Gaza City and three more had been killed — and a number wounded — in the shelling of a school in the same area. 

Dr. Husam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, told CNN Sunday that with Al-Awda Hospital under siege, his was the only facility in the north providing all health services. Abu Safiya said that since Saturday, the hospital had received around 60 bodies and more than 200 injured people as he warned that "medical supplies are dwindling," and people have died from injuries due to the scarcity of supplies.

He also said the hospital was short of staff and fuel stocks were low. He said the hospital had received a number of bodies from Jabalya refugee camp — and alleged that Israeli forces had targeted ambulances, meaning that injured people had died because they could not be brought to the hospital. 

"These are difficult and harsh circumstances," Abu Safiya said. "Shelling in the vicinity of the hospital is around the clock (and) has scared and unsettled the hospital staff."

CNN has asked the Israel Defense Forces for an update on operations in the north. The IDF has previously rejected allegations that it targets ambulances.

Israeli airstrike on refugee camp in central Gaza kills at least 35 people, hospital says

Palestinians search for survivors after an Israeli airstrike in Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, on May 19.

An airstrike in central Gaza in the early hours of Sunday killed 35 people, including seven children and nine women, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital.

The hospital said the death toll from the strike in Nuseirat camp had steadily risen as more bodies were brought in. It appears many of the casualties resulted from the destruction of a block of houses in the area. Video showed civil defense teams pulling bodies from the rubble, but without heavy equipment to move the larger parts of the wreckage.

One woman, Um Mohammad Taha, told CNN Sunday that five houses had collapsed, including her sister’s, and that many were buried under the rubble, including children.

“The same happened to my family seven months ago,” she added, when a strike had killed her 65 year-old mother and other family members. “I am injured, my house is gone. We are not alive, we are dying slowly. Where is justice?”

Mahomoud Abu Bilal told CNN that the strike occurred around 3 a.m., and that some 25 bodies from four or five families had been pulled from the rubble.

CNN has asked the Israel Defense Forces for a response on the airstrike in Nuseirat.

Protesters use giant ballot box to block Jerusalem traffic

From CNN's Michael Schwartz

Demonstrators use a giant, mock ballot box to block traffic during a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government at the entrance to Jerusalem on May 19.

Protesters calling for immediate elections have used a large copy of a ballot box to block the main highway leading into Jerusalem.

A small number of protesters placed the obstruction on the road Sunday morning, according to social media video. They held a sign saying "The Government of Neglect."

Israeli police said they were called to the site of the incident near the Chords Bridge, “following a disturbance that began there, while blocking part of the road and placing a huge display on a main road in violation of the law - an act that poses a danger to road users.” Police said some of the protesters had chained themselves to the ballot box.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership has become increasingly embattled since October 7, with thousands taking to the streets in recent months to protest his government.

Many are angry that Netanyahu has not secured the release of the remaining hostages taken by Hamas. Demonstrators have been calling for his resignation and for Israel to hold new elections.

The latest protest came the day after former Israeli defense minister and war cabinet member Benny Gantz threatened to resign from the government unless the cabinet lays out a plan for the war against Hamas by June 8.

"She can rest": Shani Louk's parents grateful after their daughter's body is returned from Gaza

From CNN's Sophie Tanno

Shani Louk in a post from her Instagram

The parents of Shani Louk, the German-Israeli woman who was killed while trying to escape the Nova music festival on October 7, have expressed their gratitude at being able to lay her body to rest after it was recovered from the Gaza Strip in an Israel Defense Forces operation.

"I was relieved, because we didn't know where she was," Shani's father, Nissim Louk, said during an interview with i24 News. "Maybe they threw her into a well or maybe she's buried somewhere."

He continued: "Yesterday we got all the answers and we closed this loop. We are happy that now she will have her own place next to us, and we can go there whenever we want, and she can rest."

Nissim had previously told Israeli media that his daughter’s body was very well-preserved because it had been kept in a “deep and very cold tunnel."

Louk's remains were retrieved alongside the bodies of two others who were taken hostage on October 7 and killed while escaping the music festival: Amit Bouskila and Itshak Gelernter.

CNN analyst and Axios reporter Barak Ravid, citing an IDF spokesperson,  reporte   the bodies were found in a tunnel in Gaza.

Louk, 23, attended the Nova music festival just inside Israel before it was attacked by gunmen from Palestinian militant group Hamas. Her lifeless body was seen in video on the back of a Hamas truck after the attack.

She was declared dead by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in late October. A source involved with her identification told CNN Louk’s death was announced after forensic examiners found a bone fragment from her skull.

Two soldiers killed in southern Gaza, Israel Defense Forces says

From Michael Schwartz in Jerusalem

The Israel Defense Forces says that two Israeli soldiers were killed in fighting in southern Gaza on Saturday.

The two soldiers were killed by a blast in the Rafah area, while an officer and two other troops were severely wounded, according to the IDF.

The soldiers killed were named as Nachman Meir Haim Vaknin and Noam Batan, who were both 20-year old Master Sergeants belonging to the Givati Brigade’s reconnaissance unit.

The latest deaths bring the toll among Israeli soldiers since the ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza and operations on the border began to 282.

Saudi crown prince meets with US national security advisor

From CNN’s Lucas Lilieholm

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan at the White House in Washington, DC, on May 13.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Sunday in the eastern city of Dhahran, according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

During the meeting they discussed regional developments, including the situation in Gaza, "the need to stop the war," and how to find a "credible track towards the two-state solution," SPA  reported .

The press agency also reported that Sullivan and bin Salman discussed the “semi-final version” of draft strategic agreements between Saudi Arabia and the US, which it describes as “almost being finalised.” 

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Israeli guards strapped wounded Palestinian detainees to their beds wearing diapers and fed them through straws, report says

  • A CNN report exposes alleged abuse of Palestinians at an Israeli Sde Teiman detention center.
  • The facility operates under Israel's Unlawful Combatants Law, allowing detention without due process.
  • Over 9,000 Palestinians are held in deteriorating conditions since October 7.

Insider Today

An Israeli detention center is subjecting Palestinians to abuse, strapping detainees down to their beds, blindfolding them, and holding them in diapers, a new CNN report alleges.

The Sde Teiman camp in the Negev desert in southern Israel is also a military base. It has been the site of abusive conduct against some of the 70 Palestinian detainees, three Israeli whistleblowers told CNN.

Medical personnel at the facility are alleged to have performed amputations on prisoners due to injuries sustained from prolonged handcuffing, with some procedures carried out by underqualified staff. 

Guards are accused of using excessive force as a form of punishment, while detainees endure routine humiliations, including being attacked by dogs and subjected to aggressive searches, CNN reported.

The Israel Defense Forces detained the prisoners during the on-going invasion of Gaza, that began after Hamas militants surged into southern Israel on October 7 committing massacres and atrocities that left 1,200 people dead, and 230 hostages kidnapped to Gaza. Israel's siege of Gaza that followed has killed 34,000, including thousands of children, says the Hamas-run Ministry of Health.

One whistleblower told CNN that beatings were "not done to gather intelligence. They were done out of revenge. It was punishment for what they did on October 7 and punishment for behavior in the camp."

Guards strip them down of "anything that resembles human beings," a whistleblower said.

In a field hospital, wounded detainees were strapped to beds, dressed in diapers, and fed through straws, CNN reported.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Ran, headed the surgical unit at Gaza's Indonesian hospital, a former prisoner in the Sde Teiman camp, told CNN: "When they removed my blindfold, I could see the extent of the humiliation and abasement, I could see the extent to which they saw us not as human beings but as animals."

Related stories

The facility operates under the Unlawful Combatants Law, granting the military broad powers to detain individuals without due process, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

The law permits the military to detain people for 45 days without an arrest warrant, after which they must be transferred to Israel's formal prison system (IPS).

Satellite images reveal a significant expansion of the Sde Teiman facility since the conflict began.

Accounts of detainee abuse are not unique to the Negev. In November, Business Insider's Alia Shoaib reported on graphic videos appearing to show IDF soldiers abusing Palestinian detainees in the West Bank.

The videos depict IDF soldiers dragging blindfolded and bound Palestinian men on the ground, many half or completely naked.

Last week, a Palestinian doctor died in an Israeli prison after more than four months in detention, Palestinian prisoner associations said, per BBC News.

Dr. Adnan Al-Bursh , 50, was the head of orthopedics at al-Shifa Hospital.

Israeli prison authorities said they were investigating the incident. No cause of death was given.

The UN's stance on the treatment of prisoners entails that "all prisoners shall be treated with respect due to their inherent dignity and value as human beings."

The IDF responded to CNN's report with the following statement: "The IDF ensures proper conduct towards the detainees in custody. Any allegation of misconduct by IDF soldiers is examined and dealt with accordingly. In appropriate cases, MPCID (Military Police Criminal Investigation's Division) investigations are opened when there is suspicion of misconduct justifying such action."

Business Insider contacted the Israeli government for comment.

Currently, over 9,000 Palestinians are being held in conditions that rights groups say have drastically deteriorated since October 7.

Watch: Israel bombs Gaza refugee camp

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