In a move that has sparked condemnation and raised tensions, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's extremist national security minister, has recorded a video at the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem. The site, also known as the Temple Mount, holds immense significance for both Muslims and Jews.

The video, filmed near the Dome of the Rock, shows Ben-Gvir surrounded by his personal security and an armed member of the Israeli border police. He claims to have visited the compound to pray for the safe return of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militants in Gaza, but emphasizes that he opposes any reckless deal or surrender.

Moreover, Ben-Gvir expresses his unwavering support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him not to yield to international pressure for a ceasefire in Gaza. He vows to continue working tirelessly to ensure that the military campaign in the region persists.

The visit immediately drew criticism from the Jordanian foreign ministry, a significant entity overseeing the holy Islamic compound in Jerusalem. Jordan denounced the visit as a provocative step by the extremist Israeli government.

Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, a member of the Jewish religious party Shas, also chastised Ben-Gvir for his actions. Arbel expressed hope that the era of provocations by Ben-Gvir would soon come to an end.

The United States' National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, voiced concerns about any actions or rhetoric that could hinder peace and security in the West Bank. Kirby emphasized the need for all parties to avoid inflaming tensions and encouraging violence.

Despite his recent Covid diagnosis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to speak with US President Joe Biden next week during a controversial visit to the US. Vice President Kamala Harris is also slated to meet Netanyahu during his visit.

This is not Ben-Gvir's first visit to the al-Aqsa mosque compound. In May, he went to the site to express his objection to several countries recognizing a Palestinian state. Given the ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza and Netanyahu's upcoming visit to the US, his latest visit is seen as an additional provocation.

The al-Aqsa mosque compound has always been a highly sensitive site. Jewish settlers attempting to pray there have been viewed as a violation by Muslim worshippers and have sparked protests and violence in the past. The visit by former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in 2000 led to a significant uprising known as the second intifada.

Daniel Seidemann, an Israeli lawyer knowledgeable about the politics of Jerusalem, highlights the concerning rise of extremist Israeli settlers that has disrupted the fragile balance at the holy site. He points out that their actions have continuously eroded the status quo, leading to tensions and conflicts.

Seidemann suggests that Ben-Gvir's visit is a symbol of "nationalistic triumphalism" and an assertion of Israeli control over key sites historically claiming by Palestinians. Several hardline ministers in Netanyahu's government, including Ben-Gvir, have voiced their opposition to a ceasefire deal and threatened to leave the ruling coalition.

As negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza continue, the visit to the holy site by Itamar Ben-Gvir has only added further complexity to an already tense situation. The provocative actions of Israeli officials are emblematic of the ongoing challenges in achieving lasting peace in the region.