Scores of Jewish settlers and Israeli soldiers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Wednesday, a Palestinian official said.
“At least 20 settlers in groups forced their way into the holy compound through al-Mugharbeh Gate under the protection of Israeli police,” Sheikh Omar Al-Qiswani, Director of al-Aqsa mosque, told Anadolu Agency. “The settlers toured in the complex, passing through al-Qibali mosque and the Dome of the Rock before leaving.”
He added that Muslim worshipers stood still against the settlers and shouted "God is great."
As many as 30 Israeli soldiers stormed the compound from several gates to provoke the Muslim worshipers, an Al-Aqsa guard told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity.
"Tensions have been running high in Al-Aqsa since the morning. Israeli police imposed strict measures outside the gates of Al-Aqsa, where they check worshipers' identity cards before allowing them to enter,” he said.
For Muslims, al-Aqsa represents the world's third holiest site. Jews, for their part, refer to the area as the "Temple Mount," claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East War. It later annexed the holy city in 1980, claiming it as the capital of the self-proclaimed Jewish state – a move never recognized by the international community.
In September 2000, a visit to the site by controversial Israeli politician Ariel Sharon sparked what later became known as the "Second Intifada," a popular uprising against the Israeli occupation in which thousands of Palestinians were killed.
