A Palestinian report stated that on Thursday, Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under the protection of Israeli police.
According to eyewitnesses cited by the Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA), dozens of settlers stormed the mosque in groups, engaging in provocative tours of the compound and performing Talmudic rituals.
The report further indicated that Israeli police imposed restrictions on Muslim worshippers’ access to the mosque, intensifying their military presence at the gates of the Old City, effectively turning it into a military zone.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in the Old City of Jerusalem, is one of the holiest sites in Islam, revered as the third holiest site after Mecca and Medina.
It also holds significant importance in Judaism as the location of the ancient temples. The compound, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount, has been a focal point of religious and political tension for decades.
Tensions often escalate when Jewish settlers, under police escort, enter the compound to assert their presence and religious claims. These visits are seen by Palestinians and Muslims worldwide as provocative and a violation of the status quo, which permits only Muslim worship at the site.
The international community, including organizations like the United Nations, has repeatedly called for maintaining the historic status quo of the compound to avoid exacerbating tensions.
Israeli security measures around the Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque often lead to clashes and have been criticized for restricting Muslim access, especially during important religious periods.
The area remains a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, symbolizing broader struggles over control, sovereignty, and religious freedom in Jerusalem.
