On February 18, 2026, the Israeli military arrested Sheikh Muhammad al-Abbasi, the imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, during a raid in occupied East Jerusalem. The arrest has been met with severe backlash from Hamas, which condemned the action as an attempt by Israel to exert control over the mosque and target religious figures. A Hamas statement emphasized that such actions 'are provoking the emotions of the Palestinian people further.' Reports indicate that Israeli forces have conducted multiple raids in the West Bank, resulting in the detention of several Palestinian youths, and local media have reported harassment of journalists covering these events. Human rights groups have expressed growing concern over these Israeli operations, highlighting the escalating unrest in the region. As stated by Aaj TV, 'the international community is watching the situation, but tensions remain high on the ground.'