More than 2,300 Israelis storm Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem
More than 2,300 Israeli settlers and far-right group members entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday during Tisha B'Av, a Jewish holiday, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir present. Palestinian officials reported that Israeli forces restricted Palestinian worshippers' access and that settlers performed religious rituals at the site, which is forbidden under a 1967 agreement.
A significant incursion into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound occurred on Thursday as more than 2,300 Israeli settlers and members of far-right organizations entered the site in occupied East Jerusalem. The entry coincided with Tisha B'Av, a Jewish day of mourning commemorating the destruction of an ancient Jewish temple believed to have stood at the location. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir participated in the visit under heavy police protection.
Palestinian authorities indicated that the number of Israeli visitors was expected to continue rising until sunset, potentially reaching 5,000—exceeding previous years' figures for the same holiday. Israeli forces implemented strict security measures at the mosque's gates, preventing large numbers of Palestinian worshippers and students from entering. According to Al Jazeera's correspondent in Ramallah, Israeli authorities imposed additional restrictions throughout the Old City, including entry bans to the compound except for elderly visitors and heightened checkpoint controls.
Israeli settlers conducted religious rituals within the compound, including prostration, singing, and prayer. Israeli media reported that police permitted over 1,000 Israelis to pray at the site, contrary to a 1967 agreement that prohibits non-Muslim prayer at Islam's third holiest location. Ben-Gvir characterized the visit as demonstrating Jewish ownership of the site and described developments there as "tremendous progress."
Palestinian officials characterized Ben-Gvir's participation as a dangerous escalation, viewing it as official Israeli endorsement of temple reconstruction advocacy. The Jerusalem governorate noted that the involvement of ruling Likud party figures represented a significant political shift, with Palestinian and Muslim leaders arguing that temple rebuilding calls now receive backing from key Israeli government and parliamentary figures. Observers warned that continued incursions into Friday, when thousands typically gather for prayers, could trigger further confrontations.
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