Israeli authorities released Al Aqsa Mosque Imam Sheikh Ekrima Sabri after his brief detention and five-hour interrogation on Friday for allegedly inciting and supporting terror in his sermon. The Israeli authorities have banned him from entering the Al Aqsa Mosque compound until August 8 and stated that they will continue their investigation into the alleged role of the religious preacher. 

Sheikh Ekrami Sabri was arrested on Friday evening from his home in the Al-Sawana neighbourhood of Jerusalem following his eulogy for the assassinated Hamas political chief  Ismail Haniyeh, during a sermon at Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Israeli authorities considered his remarks as incitement against the regime.

During his sermon, Sheikh Ekrami Sabri stated, "Before beginning the sermon, we, the people of Jerusalem and from the pulpit of Al-Aqsa Mosque, count the martyr Ismail Haniyeh among the righteous. We ask God Almighty to have mercy on him and grant him a place in Paradise alongside the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous," as reported by local media outlets. 

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This statement led Israeli police to investigate him for potential incitement and support of terror. Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir shared the picture of Sheikh Ekrami Sabri on X while Israeli police were interrogating the Al Aqsa Mosque Imam, claiming that the Israeli regime is working on a policy of "zero tolerance" towards instigators. 

Additionally, the Israeli Interior Minister reportedly called for the revocation of Sheikh Ebrahim Sabri's residency status in Jerusalem. Some settlers have circulated calls online to target his home, sharing its coordinates.

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Hamas condemned Sheikh Ekrami Sabri’s arrest, labelling it a direct attack on religious leaders and defenders of Jerusalem's Arab identity and the Islamic nature of the Al Aqsa Mosque. 

Hamas demanded his immediate release and urged action to protect religious leaders from Israeli violations. Hamas declared, "We hold the occupation fully responsible for the safety of Sheikh Sabri and any potential harm that may come to him, whether physical or mental."


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