Early Sunday morning, Israel's far-right Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, led a large group of illegal settlers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem. This action took place during the Jewish religious event known as Tisha B'Av, raising concerns over growing tensions in the area.
According to the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, over 1,250 Israeli settlers stormed the sacred mosque area. The group performed Talmudic rituals, sang songs, and danced while being heavily protected by Israeli police forces. This move angered Palestinian worshippers and religious leaders.
Likud party member Amit Halevi joined Ben-Gvir in the incursion, which was seen by many Palestinians as a dangerous mix of political and religious provocation. The Wafa news agency reported strong reactions from Palestinian authorities, calling the act an "unprecedented escalation."
The Jerusalem Governorate described the event as a "systematic violation" of Al-Aqsa Mosque's sanctity. It warned that such organized invasions threaten the rights of Muslim worshippers and could spark further unrest in the region.
Reports confirmed that Israeli settlers and police forces also attacked Muslim worshippers, journalists, and even mosque guards. These violent actions have added fuel to an already tense environment in the Old City of Jerusalem.
From inside the compound, Ben-Gvir boldly declared, "The Temple Mount is for the Jews, and we will remain here forever." His statement received heavy backlash and global condemnation, highlighting the growing religious and political conflict over Jerusalem.
Source: https://trt.global/world/article/068f13eab776