ALBAWABA—Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir led hundreds of fanatic Jews in an attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. Ben-Gvir said they had significantly advanced "Jewish worship and sovereignty" in the Muslim-sacred location.
Large gangs of Israelis with police protection raided Al-Aqsa early in the morning. The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Administration reported 2,250 extreme Jews in the raid.
Some people prostrated on the ground to conduct Talmudic rites, while others marched across the courtyard yelling slogans and religious hymns.
Later that day, Ben-Gvir entered the mosque with many policemen. He said there were "major developments regarding the management and sovereignty of this place," and Jews were now freely praying at Al-Aqsa in a video message. He maintained his policy of permitting Jewish prayer at the site, which has been controversial.
Ben-Gvir also said Israel "must win this war" and should not engage in Cairo or Doha ceasefire and prisoner swap discussions for Gaza. Video showed Ben-Gvir and another far-right politician from his party singing in the mosque courtyard during the raid.
This current incident follows Ben-Gvir's previous controversial pronouncements, notably his declaration last month that Jews might pray at Al-Aqsa during Netanyahu's US tour. However, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office swiftly denied Ben-Gvir's assertion, claiming that the Haram al-Sharif status quo is unaltered.
Extremist Jewish organizations have boosted Al-Aqsa raids during Jewish festivals. Yesterday, a huge number of Israeli settlers marched around Al-Aqsa's outer walls, carrying Israeli flags and entering Muslim neighborhoods in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem is Muslims' first qibla and important religious and cultural site. Jewish organizations say Solomon's Temple remnants are beneath the Qibla Mosque, Dome of the Rock, museums, madrasas, and vast courtyard. They claim the right to worship at the location, causing tensions.
The "Second Intifada," a multi-year Palestinian revolt, began in 2000 when former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon visited Al-Aqsa with hundreds of bodyguards.
