Israeli settlers raid al-Aqsa Mosque under police protection

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
Today 14:34

Israeli occupation forces escalate raids in al-Quds and the West Bank and restrict Palestinian movement, conducting military incursions.

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An Israeli occupation troop fires tear gas during a military raid in the West Bank city of Nablus, occupied Palestine, on August 27, 2025. (AP)

Israeli settlers, under heavy protection from Israeli police, entered the courtyards of the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds on Thursday, citing the observance of the Jewish holiday of "Yom Kippur".

Local sources reported that the occupation forces intensified military measures around the mosque and the Old City, restricting Palestinian access to the mosque’s courtyards to facilitate the passage of large numbers of settlers. In addition, the occupation authorities closed the al-Omariya road, the only vehicle access route to the Old City, to secure settler movements during the holiday.

مستوطنون يجددون اقتحامهم المسجد الأقصى المبارك في عيد الغفران ويؤدون طقوسهم بحراسة الاحتلال pic.twitter.com/Eudnw9Zk1x
— القسطل الإخباري (@AlQastalps) October 2, 2025

Groups affiliated with the so-called “Temple Organizations Union” have called on supporters to participate in a wide-scale raid into al-Aqsa on Monday, marking the Jewish festival of "Sukkot".

Al-Quds under lockdown

Israeli occupation police have effectively turned al-Quds into what residents describe as a “large prison” by erecting concrete barriers, metal barricades, and closing streets to facilitate buses transporting settlers while restricting Palestinian mobility across neighborhoods. Authorities routinely exploit Jewish holidays to impose strict restrictions on Palestinians in al-Quds and the West Bank, exacerbating their daily hardships.

Escalation in the West Bank

Israeli forces also raided the city of al-Bireh, firing live ammunition in the streets. In other areas of the West Bank, including Yamoun west of Jenin and Ya’bad south of Jenin, homes were converted into military barracks following early morning incursions. Similar tactics were previously used in Ya’bad and other towns to establish temporary military positions.

#شاهد | قوات الاحتلال تغلق الطرق المؤدية إلى قرية العرقة جنوب جنين pic.twitter.com/Kb3TgFxR1j
— المركز الفلسطيني للإعلام (@PalinfoAr) October 2, 2025

In response, the al-Quds Brigades – Jenin Brigade claimed responsibility for detonating an explosive device against an Israeli military force in Ya’bad, resulting in injuries among Israeli troops.

Land seizures, occupation measures

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Anti-Wall and Settlement Commission reported that Israeli authorities seized 35 dunams of Palestinian land in the Ramallah and al-Bireh governorate through military orders under the pretext of “security and military purposes,” aiming to impose a new status quo.

Israeli occupation forces tighten control in al-Quds and the West Bank, restricting Palestinian access to al-Aqsa, converting homes into military posts, and seizing land under security pretexts.