This morning, 22 Israeli settlers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque via the Moroccans’ gate under the protection of Israeli police, according to witnesses.
Palestinian worshipers were determined to stay inside the courtyards to confront the settlers, should they attmept to invade the mosque, Al Ray has reported.
In recent months, this has been a frequent scenario at al-Aqsa, often leading to violent confrontations.
Earlier in the week, the ‘Temple Mount’ organization, affiliated with militant Israeli rabbi Yehuda Glick, called for a general campaign against al-Aqsa as Ramadan arrives for the Muslim community, with violations occurring at al-Aqsa and other Muslim sites of worship.
Through the course of the week, Israeli forces in the al-Aqsa compound assaulted a teacher, Randa Abu- Sneineh, and her student, Meslah Naser Shhadeh, upon which they were transferred to a nearby hospital.
The previous day, four children, aged between 11 and 14, were taken from the grounds after flying a kite constructed with a plastic bag.
Israeli forces abducted, on Thursday, Ziad Abu Rahal, a Palestinian student from Nazareth, as he attempted to prevent the settlers from storming the compound.
Al-Aqsa represents the world’s third holiest site for Muslims. Jews refer to the area as the ‘Temple Mount,’ holding it to be the site of two prominent Jewish temples in ancient times.
Also on Thursday, an Israeli bulldozer demolished a mosque that was erected in a refugee camp located in occupied East Jerusalem.
According to Palestinians officials, the Israeli military had targeted ‘two mosque minarets east of Khan Yunis’, in its recent air strikes on Gaza.
Related: Increase in Israeli Violations Against Holy Sites in oPt
