Extremist Jewish settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City on Sunday, under heavy protection from Israeli police forces.
The incursion occurred amid heightened security measures in the occupied city, sparking widespread concern among the local Muslim community.
The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem reported that groups of extremist settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex through the Moroccan Gate.
The settlers performed provocative Talmudic rituals in the courtyards of the holy site, which is revered by Muslims worldwide.
The Islamic Waqf, which oversees the holy site, condemned the actions, stating that these provocative incursions are a clear attempt to alter the historical and religious status quo of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The statement added that such acts heighten tensions and are seen as part of broader efforts to assert Jewish control over the Muslim holy site.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
It is the third holiest site in Islam and the holiest site in Judaism. The area has been a focal point of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces, particularly during periods of heightened political tension.
Israeli police turned the Old City into a military zone, deploying hundreds of officers at close intervals, especially at the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the entrances to the Old City. Restrictions were imposed on Palestinian worshippers attempting to enter the mosque, exacerbating the already volatile situation.
Palestinian officials and community leaders have repeatedly warned that such provocations at Al-Aqsa could trigger broader unrest. They have called on the international community to intervene and pressure Israel to halt actions that threaten the fragile peace in Jerusalem.
