Dozens of Israeli settlers, escorted by heavily deployed occupation police forces, stormed the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday in a new provocation against one of Islam’s holiest sites, while Palestinian worshipers faced strict restrictions on access to the sanctuary.

According to local sources, at least 159 settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in groups through the Maghariba Gate during the morning hours and later continued their incursions in the afternoon under the protection of Israeli occupation forces.

Witnesses reported that the settlers toured various areas of the holy compound while receiving explanations from rabbis regarding the alleged "Temple Mount." Several settlers were also seen performing Talmudic rituals and prayers inside the courtyards, actions widely viewed by Palestinians and Islamic institutions as provocative violations of the historical and legal status quo governing the sacred site.

The repeated settler incursions have become a source of growing tension in occupied Jerusalem, with Palestinian officials warning that such actions aim to impose new realities at Al-Aqsa Mosque and undermine its exclusively Islamic character.

At the same time, Israeli occupation police imposed severe restrictions on Palestinian worshipers seeking to enter the mosque. Numerous worshipers were reportedly stopped at gates, subjected to identity checks, and denied access to the holy site without explanation.

Local residents and religious authorities condemned the measures, describing them as part of a broader policy aimed at restricting Muslim worship while facilitating settler entry into the compound.

Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in occupied East Jerusalem, is the third-holiest site in Islam and remains a central symbol of Palestinian identity and religious heritage. Palestinians have repeatedly expressed concern over the increasing frequency of settler incursions, warning that continued provocations could further inflame tensions throughout the occupied Palestinian territories.

Islamic and Palestinian institutions have called on the international community to intervene to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque, preserve its historic status, and ensure freedom of worship for Palestinian Muslims amid what they describe as escalating Israeli violations against the sacred site. (ILKHA)