Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited Jerusalem's highly sensitive Al Aqsa Mosque compound on Thursday morning. This visit risks disrupting ongoing Gaza cease-fire negotiations. Ben-Gvir, an ultranationalist settler leader, stated that his visit was to pray for the return of hostages, emphasizing that this should occur "without a reckless deal." He is urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resist international pressure and persist with the military campaign in Gaza.

This development comes at a critical time, as Israeli negotiators arrived in Cairo on Wednesday to continue cease-fire discussions, aiming to end the nine-month-long Israel-Hamas conflict. Ben-Gvir's visit also precedes Netanyahu's upcoming trip to the United States, where he is scheduled to address Congress.

The contested site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, holds significant religious importance for both groups, often sparking tensions. Palestinians view such visits as provocative, especially from figures like Ben-Gvir, who has made similar visits during periods of heightened tension. These actions have historically contributed to escalating violence in the region.