Hundreds of Israelis enter Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

Hundreds of Zionist-minded Israeli Jews escorted by Israeli forces took to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday on the seventh and final day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

The Islamic Endowment (Waqf), which is in charge of the site, said that 346 Israelis toured the compound, with 242 entering the compound between 7.30 and 11 a.m., while another 104 entered the compound through the Moroccan Gate at 1.30 p.m., only to leave one hour later through the Chain Gate.

Eyewitnesses said that many of the Israelis attempted to perform rituals in the compound -- in contravention of long-standing agreements regarding non-Muslim prayer at the site -- while others tried to provoke Palestinians at Al-Aqsa.

Israeli troopers were deployed at all gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, seizing Muslim worshipers' identity cards before letting them into the compound.