Hundreds of extremist Jewish settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque

QUDS, Oct. 01 (YPA) – Hundreds of extremist Jewish settlers stormed the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque Al-Haram Al-Sharif in the occupied city of Quds (Jerusalem) on Thursday, under heavy protection and guard by Israeli occupation police, on the sixth day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

Palestinian sources in Quds reported that settlers continued to carry out religious rituals inside the compound during the holiday, including group prayers, singing and chanting in the eastern part of Al-Aqsa.

The sources said Muslim worshipers continued to face restrictions on entering the compound and were barred from it during settlers’ incursions, as part of measures aimed at changing the existing status quo at Al-Aqsa.

Footage also showed a former member of Israel’s Knesset, Moshe Feiglin, performing the “Four Species” ritual in the eastern part of the compound. The ritual involves the etrog, palm fronds and other plants associated with the Jewish Sukkot holiday.

The Quds Governorate said Israeli occupation authorities also closed the road leading to Bab al-Asbat (Lions’ Gate) and the entrance to the Al-Turba Road leading to Silwan to secure settlers’ access to the Western Wall.

On Tuesday, 966 settlers entered the Al-Aqsa compound through the Moroccan Gate under heavy police protection. They performed Jewish prayers and rituals, sang and clapped inside the compound.

Settler incursions into Al-Aqsa have intensified since the start of the Jewish holidays, amid increased police protection and heightened security measures in  Quds (Jerusalem).

@E.Y.M