In a highly controversial move, Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City, a flashpoint holy site that has been a source of tension between Israelis and Palestinians. The visit, which took place on Thursday, has the potential to disrupt sensitive talks aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Israel's ongoing conflict with Gaza.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque, situated within the Al-Aqsa compound, is the third holiest site in the world for Muslims and is also revered by Jews as the Temple Mount. Under the existing arrangement, non-Muslim visitors are allowed to enter the site but are prohibited from praying. However, the ban has been increasingly defied by Jewish visitors, which is seen as a provocation by Palestinians who fear Israeli intentions to assert control over the site.

Ben-Gvir defended his visit, stating that he went to the site to pray for the return of Israeli captives but without making any "reckless deal or surrender." However, his visit has been condemned by the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, which described it as a "provocative intrusion" that jeopardizes the fragile status quo surrounding the compound.

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group governing the Gaza Strip, deemed the visit by Ben-Gvir as a "dangerous escalation" and called on international organizations, such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League, to take "serious action" to halt what they perceive as systematic violations at the holy site.

The timing of Ben-Gvir's visit is particularly significant as truce talks, aimed at ending the protracted conflict between Israel and Gaza, have recently stalled. Hamas had previously withdrawn from the negotiations following Israeli strikes on Gaza but expressed willingness to return if the Israeli attitude changes. The group's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, accused Israel of deliberately undermining the negotiations and the release of captives, suggesting that Israel aims to prolong the war.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military offensive in central Gaza has intensified, resulting in the deaths of 54 Palestinians within a 24-hour period, according to Palestinian authorities. The total death toll from the ongoing conflict has reached at least 38,848, with 89,459 others injured, as reported by Palestinian officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amidst the continued attacks, made a surprise visit to Israeli troops in Rafah and emphasized the need for military pressure to secure the release of captives.

In response to Netanyahu's upcoming address to the United States Congress, Israelis who were released from captivity in Gaza are planning a protest in Tel Aviv. They aim to highlight their demand for the release of captives and call for new elections in Israel.

As tensions escalate and violence persists, the provocative visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israel's far-right National Security Minister has further complicated efforts to reach a ceasefire and bring an end to the devastating war between Israel and Gaza. The international community will closely observe the developments and any potential impact on the fragile peace negotiations.