Hundreds of Israeli settlers, backed by heightened security from the occupation police, entered the courtyards of the revered Al-Aqsa Mosque earlier this Monday morning.
Palestinian sources in the occupied city reported that since 7 a.m., hundreds of settlers trespassed into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, coinciding with the Jewish “Yom Kippur”, or Day of Atonement. Some were seen dressed in priestly garments, while at least one individual was spotted carrying a personal firearm.
In a concerning trend, 673 settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards yesterday, an increase from the 500 reported on the same day last year, indicating a rising number of such incidents.
Additionally, occupation forces restricted entry to the mosque, barring worshippers below the age of 50 from performing their prayers. Several youths inside the mosque were also forcibly removed.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in the Old City of Jerusalem, is the third holiest site in Islam. It has been a continuous point of tension between Palestinians and Israelis, particularly due to the latter’s occasional restrictions on Muslim worshippers and the allowing of non-Muslim visitors, which is seen by many Palestinians as a violation of the site’s sanctity.
These incidents, often involving settlers under police protection, have previously sparked widespread protests and international concerns. The ongoing conflict and these kinds of events emphasize the deeply rooted tensions and the importance of a diplomatic solution in the region.
