Israeli Forces Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque, Expel Worshippers

Occupied Jerusalem (Quds News Network)- Israeli forces stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque and forced Muslim worshippers out. The raid came on the first night of Ramadan, despite 70,000 Muslims gathering for Taraweeh prayers.

The Islamic Waqf estimated that most worshippers were from Jerusalem and territories occupied in 1948. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities blocked thousands from the occupied West Bank from entering the holy mosque.

Israel had announced a ban on freed Palestinian detainees, preventing them from praying at Al-Aqsa mosque.

Last month, Israeli forces escalated violations, including home demolitions, settler attacks, and mass arrests. Israeli authorities also issued orders to expel Palestinians from the mosque.

Settlers increased their raid on Al-Aqsa mosque. In February alone, 4,464 settlers stormed the Islamic site under military protection. Some performed religious rituals, including kneeling prayers. Two foreign ministers, from Argentina and Thailand, stormed the mosque to perform rituals at the Buraq Wall and joined settlers near Al-Aqsa. Settlers also blew shofars near Damascus Gate.

Despite restrictions, 170,000 worshippers attended Friday prayers in Al-Aqsa mosque during February. However, Israel imposed further restrictions for Ramadan. Authorities installed barriers around the Old City and banned former detainees from entering the mosque.

Israel deployed 3,000 police officers daily, from border checkpoints to Al-Aqsa. Authorities limited Friday prayers to 10,000 West Bank residents. Only men over 55 and women over 50 could attend, and they could only stay for midday and afternoon prayers. In response, Palestinians called for mass gatherings at Al-Aqsa to defy the restrictions.

Israeli forces demolished 22 Palestinian structures in February in the occupied Palestinian capital city. Authorities forced residents to destroy five buildings themselves. The demolitions targeted homes, businesses, and farmland.

The destruction affected several areas, including Jabal Al-Mukabber, Issawiya, and Silwan. Israeli forces also handed out dozens of demolition orders in multiple neighborhoods, including Sheikh Jarrah and Abu Dis.

Israeli forces also kidnapped 75 Palestinians in February, including 11 children and three women. One detainee, Bayan Al-Ja’ba, was nine months pregnant when she was kidnapped. Authorities later released her under house arrest.

Israeli courts issued 25 prison sentences, including 13 administrative detentions. The harshest sentence was 27 years for Ahmed Nasla, who was later released in a prisoner exchange. A court also sentenced 18-year-old Muhammad Al-Zalbani to 18 years in detention.

Authorities issued 63 expulsion orders, including 35 banning Palestinians from Jerusalem and 21 from Al-Aqsa. Many targeted freed detainees, activists, and journalists. The goal was to keep them away from the mosque during the holy month of Ramadan.

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities continued settlement expansion in the eastern part of occupied Jerusalem. Officials rejected appeals against eviction orders in Sheikh Jarrah and Wadi Hilweh. The so-called Nature Authority also seized a historic Palestinian cemetery in Silwan, declaring it public land.

Israel confiscated land in Wadi Al-Joz and Wadi Al-Rababa, citing ‘environmental projects’. Meanwhile, settlers and Israeli authorities carried out excavation work in Ain Silwan, part of efforts to alter the city’s historical landscape.