Zionists continued storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound following the so-called Yom Kippur holiday, with a total of 1,678 Zionists entering the site on September 20 and 21 under the protection of occupation forces, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.

Local sources said dozens of Zionists entered the mosque compound through the Moroccan Gate on Monday under heavy protection from occupation forces. The group toured the courtyards and performed Talmudic rituals, while occupation police tightened restrictions on Muslim worshippers by confiscating identity cards and limiting access to the holy site.

1,678 Zionists entered Al-Aqsa in two days

According to the Jerusalem Governorate, 992 Zionists entered Al-Aqsa on September 20 during what was described as a "compensation raid" ahead of the so-called holiday, while another 686 entered on September 21 during Yom Kippur. The governorate said the total represented the highest number recorded for the occasion.

During the incursions, groups of Zionists reportedly danced, applauded and performed prostration rituals in the eastern section of the compound, while religious rituals also extended to areas overlooking the Dome of the Rock.

The governorate also reported that some Zionists wore Jewish prayer shawls (tallit) and tefillin and carried prayer books and other religious items into the compound, alleging that occupation police facilitated the distribution of these materials at Al-Aqsa's gates.

Ben-Gvir joins latest incursion

Occupation regime National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also entered the Al-Aqsa compound during the latest incursion and performed religious rituals alongside a group of Zionists.

According to the Jerusalem Governorate, the visit marked Ben-Gvir's 20th storming of Al-Aqsa since taking office in early 2023.

The governorate said the events of September 20-21 formed part of ongoing efforts to impose new realities at Al-Aqsa by altering its historic and legal status quo through collective religious rituals, prostration, dancing and the introduction of religious materials into the mosque compound.

Restrictions on Muslim worshippers continue

During the two-day period, occupation forces also imposed extensive restrictions on movement in Jerusalem's Old City, making it more difficult for Muslim worshippers to reach Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Jerusalem Governorate further reported that around 30 shofar blasts were documented inside the mosque compound during the so-called Jewish New Year celebrations on September 13, describing the practice as part of increasing attempts to expand religious rituals within the site.

New incursions on September 22 indicated that tensions at Al-Aqsa remained high following the large-scale storming operations carried out over the previous two days.

Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in occupied East Jerusalem, is Islam's third-holiest site. Under the longstanding historical and legal status quo, non-Muslims may visit the compound during specified hours, while Muslim religious authorities administer the site.(ILKHA)