Hundreds of Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque During Jewish Holidays

Hundreds of Israeli settlers, protected by Israeli forces, entered the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem on Monday, the third day of the Sukkot holiday. The incursions occurred through the Mughrabi Gate in successive groups, with each group exceeding 50 settlers. Israeli forces were heavily deployed, preventing Palestinians from accessing the areas of the incursions.

During their presence, settlers performed Talmudic rituals within the mosque's courtyards. The Jerusalem Governorate reported that some settlers performed the "Musaf" prayer, with content related to holiday sacrifices, on what they call the "Temple Mount." The Governorate stated that these rituals mimic Jewish worship practices associated with the alleged Temple and violate the existing historical and legal status quo at Al-Aqsa, representing an attempt to impose a new religious reality.

On Sunday, approximately 1,500 settlers, under heavy police protection, stormed Al-Aqsa, engaging in prayers and Talmudic rituals near the Qattanin Gate. They also brought "vegetable sacrifices" into the courtyards and performed group dances, songs, and rituals. MK Amit Halevi of the Likud party participated in Sunday's incursions, along with a group of rabbis and dozens of settlers who sang and chanted inside the mosque.

These incursions are part of an escalation at Al-Aqsa during Jewish holidays. Sukkot began on September 26 and continues until October 2, with daily incursions expected until Thursday. Simultaneously, Israeli forces have imposed strict measures around Al-Aqsa and the Old City, restricting Palestinian movement and access for worshippers. Palestinians have warned of continued violations of the historical and legal status quo and the rise of Talmudic rituals within the mosque.

According to the Jerusalem Governorate, 40,661 settlers have entered Al-Aqsa since the beginning of the year until the end of August. Around 800 restraining orders have been issued against Jerusalemites banning them from the mosque since the start of the year until early September. September saw repeated waves of incursions, including 480 settlers on September 13 during Rosh Hashanah, and approximately 1,678 settlers on September 20-21 during Yom Kippur.