Hundreds of Israelis storm Al-Aqsa Mosque compound | Al-Aqsa Mosque News
Intensified Israeli Raids at Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound During Sukkot
JERUSALEM — Hundreds of Israelis entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Wednesday, marking the fifth day of Sukkot, a Jewish holiday. The incursion included participation from significant figures, such as former lawmaker Moshe Feiglin, and was carried out under the protection of Israeli police.
According to reports from Jerusalem’s Islamic Waqf Department, approximately 700 Israelis accessed the site, where they engaged in religious rituals that violate the established status quo. This situation comes amid ongoing Israeli restrictions on Palestinian Muslims attempting to enter the compound, as noted by Palestine’s Wafa news agency, which cited the Jerusalem governorate.
Under the historical status quo agreement, the Islamic Waqf Department holds exclusive authority over the administration of the Al-Aqsa compound, also referred to as al-Haram al-Sharif by Muslims and the Temple Mount by Jews. This arrangement designates the site as a place of worship solely for Muslims.
In an effort to facilitate easier access for Israeli visitors to the Western Wall, Israeli authorities have closed the roads leading to the Lions’ Gate area and the entrance to al-Turba Road, which connects to the town of Silwan.
The frequency of Israeli incursions into the Al-Aqsa compound has increased since the onset of the Jewish holiday season earlier this month. On Tuesday, a reported 966 Israeli individuals entered the compound through the Moroccan Gate, accompanied by Israeli police, where they conducted Talmudic rituals and sang in the mosque’s courtyards.
The Jewish holidays commenced with the New Year, observed on September 12 and 13, followed by Yom Kippur on September 21 and 22. Sukkot, which began on September 26, will conclude on October 2, with Simchat Torah, celebrating the conclusion of the annual Torah reading cycle, scheduled for October 3.
