Around 1,300 Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa compound amid tight restrictions

Around 1,300 Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday, marking the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av, the Jerusalem Governorate said. Israeli police allowed settlers to enter in groups of about 150, while imposing tight restrictions at the mosque's gates and deploying heavily across the courtyards.

Restrictions on Worshippers

Only a limited number of Palestinians managed to reach the mosque for dawn prayers, with Israeli forces assaulting several worshippers and residents, according to the governorate. Settlers performed Talmudic rituals during the incursions, including wearing tefillin and prostrating in the eastern section of the compound. Extremist groups advocating the construction of a Jewish temple were mobilising to bring 5,000 settlers into the site.

Condemnation and Warning

The governorate condemned the participation of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir as a "dangerous escalation" and a "flagrant violation" of the site's legal status. It warned that the violations could have repercussions for regional security and urged international action to halt them. Al-Aqsa is the world's third-holiest site for Muslims, while Jews refer to the area as the Temple Mount.