Over 5,814 Israeli settlers broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem in May, watchdog says

Occupied Jerusalem (QNN)- More than 5,814 extremist Israeli settlers broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied city of Jerusalem in May, according to a Palestinian network hub for Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem.
Last month witnessed Israeli settlers breaking into the holy site in large numbers, especially during the Jewish holidays as Al-Qastal documented that 5,814 settlers stormed the mosque in May.
Among those who broke into the site were several Israeli lawmakers, including: Negev and Galilee Development Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf, who belongs to the far-right Jewish Power party, and three MPs in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, Dan Illouz, Amit Halevi, and Ariel Kallner.
On May 18, 1286 settlers broke into the holy site during Jerusalem Day and the provocative “Flag March,” Al-Qastal said.
The watchdog added that 380 settlers broke into the mosque on May 25 during the so-called Jewish holiday of Shavuot.
The settlers broke into the holy site in groups and in two sessions, the morning and afternoon, except on Fridays and Saturdays, while being backed by well-armed Israeli soldiers.
They entered the mosque through the Al-Mughrabi Gate, one of the Gates of the Old City of Jerusalem and is under full-Israeli control, provoking Palestinian worshipers by performing Talmudic rituals and making Talmudic explanations before leaving it through the Al-Silsila Gate.
On May 21, the Israeli government held its weekly cabinet meeting inside the Al-Buraq Wall tunnels, located in the immediate vicinity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The meeting aimed to allocate budgets and approve a large number of Judaization projects in Jerusalem.
Israeli occupation authorities have allowed settler incursions to the mosque since 2003, under the forces’ protection.
In 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.
There have been repeated objections and warnings by the Palestinian religious authorities as the settlers’ incursions provoke Palestinian worshipers 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.