Scores of extremist Jewish settlers desecrated the Aqsa Mosque on Thursday morning, exploiting heavy restrictions imposed on Palestinian worshipers at the Islamic holy site.

The provocative incursion occurred under the protection of Israeli occupation forces, highlighting the continued threat to the sanctity of one of Islam’s most revered sites.

According to the Jerusalem governor’s office, at least 793 settlers entered the mosque through its Maghariba Gate, touring its courtyards while receiving lectures from rabbis promoting the false claim of a “temple mount.” Some settlers went further, provocatively performing Talmudic prayers within the sacred precincts of the mosque.

Meanwhile, Israeli occupation police restricted the movement and entry of Muslim worshipers, preventing many faithful from performing their prayers and effectively allowing the desecration to take place with impunity.

In response to the ongoing incursions, Palestinian religious and national figures, as well as institutions, called on citizens to strengthen their presence at the Aqsa Mosque, urging vigilance and solidarity to protect the site against repeated violations by extremist settlers.

The incident underscores a broader pattern of systematic encroachment and oppression at Aqsa Mosque, as Palestinian worshipers face severe restrictions while extremist settlers are emboldened to carry out provocative rituals. Observers warn that such actions threaten not only the sanctity of the holy site but also the fragile stability of the occupied city.

The Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, continues to be a flashpoint of tension under occupation, with repeated settler incursions drawing widespread condemnation from the Palestinian community and calls for international intervention to safeguard religious freedoms. (ILKHA)