Resumption of Invasions – Ben Gvir and Dozens of Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa
Settlers resumed their invasions into Al-Aqsa Mosque today, Wednesday, after a 13-day halt during the last ten days of Ramadan and the days of Eid al-Fitr.
Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, led today's raid alongside Rabbi Shimshon Elbaum, the head of the "Temple Mount Administration."
A total of 209 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque during the morning and afternoon invasion periods.
These invasions occur daily except on Fridays and Saturdays, the last ten days of Ramadan, and the days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as well as on specific religious occasions. They take place through the Magharbeh Gate, whose keys have been under Israeli control since the occupation of Jerusalem. The incursions happen in two time slots: from 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM and from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM (summer time).
During the invasion , settlers documented their prayers inside Al-Aqsa Mosque and published footage of extremist minister Ben Gvir performing a public prayer in the eastern part of the mosque, just a few meters away from Bab al-Rahma prayer hall.
Since August last year, settlers have been openly and collectively performing prayers inside Al-Aqsa Mosque.This trend began when Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stormed the mosque and declared his intention to build a Jewish synagogue within it, asserting the right of Jews to pray there. Since then, his statements have increasingly turned into reality, with public and collective prayers now being performed daily under heavy protection from Israeli forces.
It is noteworthy that Ben Gvir has stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque eight times since taking office in 2023—three times in 2023, four times in 2024, and this marks his first incursion in 2025. Additionally, this is his fifth raid since October 7, 2023, as he continues to storm Al-Aqsa on various Jewish holidays and religious occasions.
