he Jerusalem Governorate said that more than 2,300 Israeli colonists had stormed the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, coinciding with the commemoration of what is called the “destruction of the Temple.”
The Jerusalem Governorate said that among those who stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound were Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Likud Knesset member Amit Halevi. During the incursion, Halevi performed Talmudic rituals inside the compound and raised the Israeli flag, in what the governorate described as a provocative act that constitutes a violation of the historic and legal status quo governing the mosque.
In a statement, the Governorate added that Israeli police allowed the size of each group to increase to approximately 150 colonists during the incursions.
The Governorate further stated that Israeli forces continue to impose strict measures at the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and in the vicinity of the Old City, and are heavily deployed throughout the mosque’s courtyards, preventing worshippers from entering.
According to the governorate, only a very limited number of worshippers were able to reach the mosque for dawn prayers before Israeli forces assaulted several worshippers.
This morning, dozens of colonists repeatedly performed what is known as “epic prostration” in front of the Dome of the Rock on the western side of the compound during the incursions marking the Temple destruction commemoration.
