Agencies-Gazapost
Dozens of extremist settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque
Dozens of Israeli settlers protected by Israeli police stormed on Sunday the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem and performed rituals across its courtyards, as Palestinan worshipers were forced by police to stay inside the southern building inside the compound, witnesses and local sources said.
Sources reported that Israeli settlers entered the holy site in groups and performed rituals and Talmudic prayers there under the protection of Israeli police officers.
Dozens of Palestinian worshipers who had been inside the compound since last night were attacked by police into the southern building and locked down there to secure the provocative visit of the Israeli settlers.
Sources added that the latest development happened after nearly two months of growing tensions fueled by increased presence by Israeli settlers inside the holy site during the past Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Last week, Palestinan worshipers were wounded by Israeli police as they escorted hundreds of Israeli radicals who broke into the holy site to mark the anniversary of the so-called Israeli unification of East and West Jerusalem.
Jerusalem’s Islamic Waqf repeatedly described the settlers’ presence in Al-Aqsa Mosque as “provocative”, and said that Palestinian worshippers and guards at Al-Aqsa feel uncomfortable with the presence of Israeli police and settlers touring the Islamic holy site.
Source: Wafa
