Israeli Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound Amid Tensions
The settlers, some of whom performed Jewish rituals, came through the Moroccan Gate, one of the entrances to the compound in the occupied city of al-Quds, WAFA News Agency reported.
The incursion was the latest in a series of provocative actions by Israeli settlers and security forces at the compound, which have inflamed tensions with the Palestinians and drawn criticism from Muslim countries.
The Islamic Waqf, the Jordanian body that oversees the site, has repeatedly urged the international community to intervene and stop the Israeli violations, which it says are aimed at changing the historical and legal status of the compound and offending the feelings of Muslims around the world.
Since 2003, the occupation regime has allowed settlers to visit the compound almost daily, except on Fridays, when Muslims gather for prayers. The visits are coordinated with the Israeli military, which often restricts the access of Muslim worshipers and clashes with them.
The situation has worsened since Oct. 7, when the regime launched a war on the Gaza Strip, killing more than 22,000 Palestinians so far, mostly women and children. The occupying force has also tightened its security measures around the Old City and the West Bank, preventing thousands of Muslims from reaching the mosque for Friday prayers.
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On Dec. 22, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry issued a statement, stressing that Israel is imposing "Judaization measures" on Al-Aqsa Mosque. "Israel exploits the preoccupation with the genocidal war in the Gaza Strip and imposes Judaization measures against Al-Aqsa Mosque," the statement said.
The ministry strongly denounced the Israeli assaults on Palestinian worshipers, journalists and the mosque itself, and called for holding Israel accountable for its crimes.
Israel captured East al-Quds, including the Old City, from Jordan in the 1967 war and later annexed it in a move not recognized internationally.
Under an arrangement, Israel maintains overall security control of the compound, while the Waqf runs the day-to-day religious affairs. As per the agreement, non-Muslims are allowed to visit the site, but not to pray there.
Some Israeli politicians, especially from the right-wing and religious parties, have advocated for allowing Jewish prayer at the compound or even building a third temple there, a move that would likely spark a regional conflagration.
Source: Agencies
