On Monday, dozens of Israeli settlers, under the protection of Israeli police, stormed the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied city of Jerusalem.
Eyewitnesses reported that the settlers entered the mosque compound in successive groups through the Moroccan Gate, performing provocative tours and conducting Talmudic rituals in its courtyards.
The Israeli police intensified their military presence at the gates of the Old City and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. In May alone, 4,277 settlers and 6,179 individuals under the guise of “tourism” entered the mosque compound.
In a parallel development, Israeli occupation forces arrested at least 20 individuals from the West Bank, including former prisoners who had spent years in Israeli jails, between last night and this morning.
According to a joint statement by the Palestinian Prisoners’ Affairs Authority and the Palestinian Prisoners Club, the total number of arrests in the West Bank since October 7th has exceeded 9,000.
These arrests have affected various segments of Palestinian society, including laborers and thousands from Gaza.
The exact number and identities of the detainees remain unclear due to the ongoing practice of enforced disappearances by Israeli forces.
The statement highlighted that the escalating arrest campaigns over the past eight months have been accompanied by extrajudicial executions, direct shooting before arrest, threats, severe beatings, field interrogations, the use of police dogs, and the use of civilians as human shields and hostages.
Additionally, widespread vandalism has been reported, including the destruction of homes, confiscation of belongings, cars, money, gold, and electronic devices. The demolition and explosion of homes belonging to prisoners in Israeli jails have also been noted.
The continuous incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque and the extensive arrests in the West Bank underscore the ongoing tension and violence in the region.
These actions have sparked international condemnation and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and respect for human rights.
