OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), The Aqsa Mosque witnessed large-scale incursions by Israeli settlers on Thursday morning under heavy protection from Israeli forces, on the eve of the so-called Hebrew anniversary of Jerusalem’s occupation, as Palestinian warnings intensified over attempts to impose new realities inside the Mosque compound.
The Islamic Waqf Department said groups of settlers entered Aqsa through the Magharibeh Gate and performed Talmudic rituals inside the courtyards, including what is known as “epic prostration” in the eastern section of the Mosque near Bab al-Rahma.
The department added that Israeli Knesset member Ariel Kellner participated in leading groups of settlers during the morning incursions.
At the same time, Israeli police imposed strict restrictions on Palestinians entering the Aqsa Mosque, including intensive searches and the confiscation of ID cards at the outer gates, limiting worshipers’ access to the site.
The incursions coincided with the launch of the “Flag March” through the streets and neighborhoods of Occupied Jerusalem, where hundreds of settlers marched through the Old City chanting and dancing to celebrate what they call “Jerusalem Day,” which this year coincides with the 78th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba.
Israeli authorities also issued notices to shop owners in and around the Old City, ordering them to close their businesses at noon during the march.
These developments come amid growing calls from settler groups, including so-called “Temple organizations,” to carry out large-scale incursions into the Aqsa Mosque, alongside demands from figures within the Israeli government to allow additional incursions on Friday.
In this context, Jerusalem affairs researcher Ziyad Ibhais said Israel is seeking to achieve three gradual objectives inside the Aqsa Mosque, beginning with entrenching the usual incursions during Thursday’s Flag March, then imposing evening incursions as a new reality, and eventually attempting Friday incursions in an unprecedented escalation in recent years.
Meanwhile, the Hamas Movement said the escalating incursions and Israeli measures in Occupied Jerusalem are part of a policy aimed at tightening restrictions on Jerusalemites and worshippers and emptying the Aqsa Mosque of Palestinian presence in preparation for greater Israeli control over the site.
The Movement called on Palestinians to intensify their presence and steadfastness at the holy site and confront what it described as occupation and settler plans. Hamas also urged Arab and Muslim nations to support Jerusalem and the Aqsa Mosque with all possible means.
