On the eve of Eid al-Adha…dozens of settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque and raise the Israeli flag and perform public prayers
Dozens of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque on Thursday while guarded by the occupation forces, amid restrictions against worshipers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, on the eve of Eid al-Adha, on the "Day of Arafa."
The settlers' incursions into Al-Aqsa came in response to the intensive and continuous calls made by the "alleged Temple groups" over the past days to commemorate the so-called "memorial of the Destruction of the Temple”.
During the morning and afternoon break-in sessions, 1050 extremists stormed Al-Aqsa, in the form of successive groups, through Dung Gate, whose keys have been controlled by the occupation authorities since the occupation of Jerusalem, amid the heavy presence of the occupation officers, special units and police personnel, who provided full protection to the settlers during the storming of Al-Aqsa.
The Israeli occupation forces evacuated several areas in Al-Aqsa, in which groups of intruders marched, and in the morning, they arrested 5 young men and on girl at noon.
Dozens of settlers performed their religious rituals and prayers during the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque, especially in the area of Bab Al-Rahma, knowing that the occupation forces prevent worshipers from being and praying in this area during the two storming sessions.
The settlers also marched in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa, and reached the courtyard of Al-Qibali Mosque.
One of the settlers raised the Israeli flag in Al-Aqsa, taking pictures and chanting "The Temple Mount is in our hands", under heavy protection from the occupation police.
At the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Israeli police restricted the entry of worshipers, by holding or checking their identities before allowing them to enter. Worshipers chanted the “Eid Takbeerat” during their presence in the mosque.
At Al-Silsileh Gate- where the intruding groups leave Al-Aqsa - a group of young men that are banned from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque were present and they lifted the Qur’ans and chanted “God is Great” in front of the settlers.
