Al-Quds, MINA – Dozens of extremist Jewish settlers entered the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday morning under Israeli police escort, continuing a pattern of incursions that Palestinian statistics say has seen more than 284,000 settler entries into the holy compound over the past three years.
According to local sources, the settlers entered in successive groups through the Maghariba Gate and toured the courtyards. Rabbis accompanying them delivered lectures about the site, which they referred to as the Temple Mount. Several settlers also performed Talmudic prayers in front of Muslim worshipers and police.
Meanwhile, Israeli occupation police tightened restrictions on Muslim worshipers at the mosque’s entrances, preventing many Palestinians from reaching the holy site.
Palestinian statistics indicate that more than 284,000 extremist Jewish settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound between October 7, 2023, and October 2026. Palestinians view the growing number of incursions and the performance of religious rituals at the site as challenges to its longstanding historical status quo.
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Al-Aqsa Mosque, known to Muslims as Al-Haram Al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is one of Islam’s holiest sites and the third holiest after Mecca and Medina.
Under the longstanding status quo arrangement, Muslims have the right to pray at the compound, while non-Muslims may visit but are not permitted to pray there. However, increasing numbers of Israeli settlers and far-right activists have entered the site in recent years, with some performing religious rituals that Palestinians consider violations of the established arrangements.
The incursions have intensified during Jewish holidays, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. The participation of senior Israeli officials, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has further heightened concerns among Palestinians over efforts to change the status quo.
Palestinian leaders and religious authorities have repeatedly warned that such actions threaten the historical and legal arrangements governing the site and risk escalating religious tensions.
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Palestinian figures, including Sheikh Ra’ed Salah and Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, have called on Palestinians to strengthen their presence at Al-Aqsa Mosque to protect the holy site from further incursions.
The international community has also called for respect for the status quo and the rights of Muslim worshipers. However, Palestinian authorities and religious figures continue to raise concerns over recurring incursions and restrictions on access to the mosque.
The latest incident highlights continuing tensions surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque, where settler visits under Israeli police protection and restrictions on Palestinian worshipers remain major sources of concern.[]
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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