Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Tunnel Video Under Al Aqsa Sparks Outrage Across Arab World
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn sharp regional condemnation after releasing a video of himself walking through a massive underground tunnel dug beneath the Al Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites. The move, viewed by many as a dangerous provocation, comes amid escalating tensions in occupied East Jerusalem.
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The video, published Monday to coincide with the 58th anniversary of Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem in the 1967 war, shows Netanyahu inspecting the controversial tunnel — a structure that reportedly runs from the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan to beneath the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif.
Standing inside the dimly lit tunnel, Netanyahu declared, “Jerusalem will remain Israel’s eternal capital,” and reiterated his call for other nations to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the city and relocate their embassies to Jerusalem. The timing and setting of the announcement have been widely interpreted as a calculated message to reinforce Israeli claims over all of Jerusalem, including the occupied eastern part.
Settler Incursions and Flag March Escalate Tensions
The video release came on the same day that more than 2,090 Israeli settlers, escorted by heavily armed forces, entered the Al Aqsa compound, according to the Islamic Waqf — the Jordanian-appointed authority managing Islamic sites in Jerusalem. Among those leading the incursions were far-right Israeli politicians, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Negev and Galilee Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf, as well as multiple members of the Knesset from Likud, Jewish Power, and Religious Zionism parties.
Outside the mosque compound, hundreds of Israeli nationalists flooded the streets around Bab Al Amoud (Damascus Gate) during the annual “Flag March,” waving Israeli flags, chanting anti-Arab slogans, and performing dances seen as provocations by Palestinians. Some participants carried banners with incendiary slogans such as “Jerusalem is ours since 1967” and “Gaza will be ours in 2025,” raising fears of further escalation and territorial expansion.
Arab World Condemns, but Stops Short of Action
The developments have drawn swift condemnation from Arab capitals. Governments in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar issued statements denouncing Netanyahu’s actions and warning of the “desecration” of Al Aqsa, a site of deep religious and political sensitivity. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also issued a strongly worded rebuke.
However, critics say the reaction has so far been limited to rhetoric, with no tangible steps taken to pressure Israel or defend Palestinian rights. Many activists and political commentators described the international and regional response as muted and ineffective, accusing Arab leaders of turning a blind eye to repeated violations of Jerusalem’s status quo.
“The silence of the so-called international community is shameful,” said one Palestinian rights group in a statement. “It is this very silence that has allowed Netanyahu and his government to act with impunity in Jerusalem.”
Tunnel Symbolism and Historical Sensitivities
The tunnel under Al Aqsa has long been a source of Palestinian alarm. It is part of a broader network of underground excavation projects carried out by Israeli authorities and settler-linked organizations, ostensibly for archaeological purposes. Palestinians view these activities as a deliberate effort to undermine the structural integrity of Islamic holy sites and assert Israeli control over the area.
The use of such a tunnel by Netanyahu in an official video — timed with the anniversary of the 1967 occupation — has only deepened fears that Israel intends to further erode the historical and religious character of East Jerusalem.
With tensions already running high amid ongoing military operations in Gaza and the West Bank, Monday’s developments have heightened concerns of a broader flare-up in the region.
What’s Next?
While Netanyahu’s supporters hailed the video as a bold reaffirmation of Israeli sovereignty, critics warn it may further isolate Israel diplomatically and ignite unrest. Meanwhile, Palestinians continue to face restricted access to Al Aqsa, increasing military presence in their neighborhoods, and heightened surveillance.
With the region on edge, observers say the situation in Jerusalem could become a flashpoint for renewed violence if diplomatic intervention is not urgently pursued.
