Scores of Israeli settlers break into Al-Aqsa
Dozens of Israeli settlers heavily guarded by Israeli police broke into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Al-Quds on Sunday and performed rituals throughout its courtyards, according to witnesses.
The Jordan-run Islamic Waqf, in charge of the holy site, said scores of Israeli settlers broke into the compound through the Moroccan Gate, where they performed Talmudic prayers and other rituals, WAFA reported.
Located in occupied Al-Quds, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site for Muslims. It was also Islam’s first Qibla, the direction towards which Muslims must turn to pray, before that was changed to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli far-right activists have repeatedly pushed for an increased presence by Israeli settlers at Al-Aqsa, despite a joint guardianship agreement between Israel and Jordan that bans the entry of Jewish settlers to the holy site.
Jerusalem's Islamic Waqf has repeatedly described the settlers' tours as "provocative", and said that Palestinian worshippers and guards at Al-Aqsa feel uncomfortable with the presence of Israeli police and settlers touring the Muslim holy site.
Israel captured East Al-Quds, where Al-Aqsa Mosque is located, during the Six-Day War in 1967 in a move never recognized by the international community.