Israeli forces allow settlers’ incursions of Al-Aqsa Mosque while harassing Palestinians
Occupied Jerusalem (QNN)- Dozens of extremist Israeli settlers have broken into the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied city of Jerusalem, since the early morning hours of Thursday, under protection of occupation forces, who have been harassing Palestinians.
Over 40 extremist Israeli settlers broke into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque during the morning break-in session, under the occupation forces protection, and their incursions to the mosque continue till this moment.
The settlers entered through the Damascus Gate- which Palestinians call Bab al-Amud Gate.
They are now provoking the Palestinian worshipers by performing Talmudic prayers in the courtyards of the holy site.
However, dozens of Palestinian worshipers and youths have been harassed by the occupation soldiers to facilitate the settlers’ incursions to the mosque.
The forces obstructed their access to the mosque and searched them.
شرطة الاحتلال تعرقل دخول الأهالي والشبان إلى المسجد الأقصى من باب حطة pic.twitter.com/uh1SDX98uY
— AlQastal القسطل (@AlQastalps) January 27, 2022
Since last night, the soldiers have been preventing the Palestinians from enjoying the snowfall.
توتر في المسجد الأقصى وشرطة الاحتلال تحاول منع الشبان من اللهو بالثلج وتعتقل أحدهم pic.twitter.com/rrUdnfeDSn
— AlQastal القسطل (@AlQastalps) January 27, 2022
Al-Qastal reported that a Palestinian youth was arrested earlier today while he was playing in the snow. Last night, over 22 Palestinians were arrested while they were playing in the snow in the occupied Jerusalem.
Israeli occupation forces detained young Palestinian man from the vicinity of Al-Aqsa Mosque today. pic.twitter.com/MVTpUzgYGy
— AlQastal News (@QastalNewsEn) January 27, 2022
The forces also fired sound bombs and rubber-coated metal bullets towards the Palestinians whule they were playing in the snow in the Bab Al-Amud plaza, to force them to leave the area. Bab al-Amud- or the Damascus Gate- is one of the main entrances to the Old City of Jerusalem.
The Plaza is a popular spot where Palestinians gather, drink coffee and sing national songs.
Israeli occupation authorities have allowed settler incursions to the mosque since 2003, under the forces’ protection.
Since the start of 2021, 34,562 settlers broke into the holy site, setting a new record, as in 2020, 19,000 settlers broke into the mosque and 29,700 settlers in 2019, according to Al-Qastal, a Palestinian network hub for Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem.
There have been repeated objections and warnings by the Palestinian religious authorities as the settlers’ incursions provoke Palestinian worshippers of the mosque.
Israeli forces always facilitate and protect the settlers while preventing Palestinian worshipers from entering it, assaulting and detaining them.
The Al-Aqsa mosque is one of the holiest sites in Islam.
Jews refer to the area as the Temple Mount, claiming it was the site of two prominent Jewish temples in ancient times.
The complex also includes the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the most sacred Christian sites in the world.
