Prayers and raiding flags: 515 settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque on the so-called "Independence Day"
Dozens of settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque on Thursday on the so-called "Independence Day," the anniversary of the Nakba (catastrophe) of the Palestinian people according to the Hebrew calendar.
515 settlers carried out their raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque during the morning and afternoon incursion periods.
Among the most prominent violations recorded during these raids were: raising the Israeli flag inside Al-Aqsa Mosque several times, placing it on baby strollers, performing collective and public prayers while prostrating, singing and clapping loudly during the raids, and allowing large, successive groups to enter under the protection of the occupation police.
Since the morning hours, extremist "Temple" groups have distributed Israeli flags to settlers at the Dung Gate, one of the external gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Over the past week, extremist "Temple Mount" groups called for participation in the raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque on the occasion of the so-called "Israel Independence Day," posting advertisements in the streets and various social media platforms.
Meanwhile, the occupation authorities imposed strict restrictions on the entry of worshippers to Al-Aqsa Mosque during the raids.
In the skies above Jerusalem, the occupation authorities launched a military helicopter show as part of the annual celebrations marking the so-called Independence Day, following several days of training in preparation for this show.
The occupation authorities also hung Israeli flags on the main streets of Jerusalem, and in neighborhoods and towns near the Old City, and illuminated the Jerusalem wall from the direction of Jaffa Gate for this occasion.
It is noteworthy that the number of settlers who stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque on the same anniversary last year reached 526, compared to 474 the year before.
