Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa courtyards for the 4th day in a row
Israeli settlers continue to storm Al-Aqsa courtyards as part of their celebration of Passover, amid heavy deployment of Israeli occupation forces.
Al Mayadeen correspondent reported that Israeli settlers, backed by heavily armed Israeli occupation forces, entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards in occupied Al-Quds, making provocative tours for the fourth day in a row.
Earlier, the Israeli occupation police stormed Al-Aqsa courtyard, forcing Palestinian worshipers out of the area, before they began facilitating the entry of groups of settlers, our correspondent added.
During the storming of #AlAqsa Mosque, Israeli settlers started chanting "Nakba" and "Abu Khdair".
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 19, 2022
What are they referring to?
Follow the thread. #AlAqsaUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/VBCVb0gdia
Our correspondent stressed that a group of Palestinians were able to stay inside the Al-Qibli prayer hall, despite the excessive use of force, including firing pepper gas and rubber-coated bullets at them.
Since early morning, the occupation police have been stationed in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa mosque, and have expelled Palestinians to secure the settlers' path.
Israeli media is talking about 1,000 Israeli policemen mobilized today in the Old City, Al-Haram Al-Qudsi, and Al-Buraq Square.
Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque through Bab Al Maghariba, performed Talmudic rituals, and carried out provocative tours in its courtyards.
Our correspondent added that far-right Israeli groups continue to mobilize their supporters to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque during the "Passover sacrifice" festival and perform provocative tours in it.
This comes after a "rabbinical summit" held at Al-Aqsa to discuss the imposition of the Jewish "Passover" rituals and after calls from far-right rabbis and pledges from leaders of "Temple" groups to introduce the "Passover sacrifice" to Al-Aqsa.
It is noteworthy that the so-called "Temple Mount" movement announced a financial reward for those who carry out provocations in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa during the month of Ramadan.
Media reports: "Israeli Jewish extremists are promoting financial rewards to those who carry out extremist provocations on the courtyards of Al-Aqsa, desecrating the mosque during Ramadan. Rewards include 10,000 shekels for the doing Passover sacrifice there." pic.twitter.com/xYwdICKo9Y
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) April 12, 2022
The head of the Supreme Islamic Council in Al-Quds, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, voiced concern, in an exclusive interview for Al Mayadeen, on Wednesday, over the possibility that the Israeli settlers might perform “Passover sacrifice” ritual.
On her account, Fatima Khadir, a Palestinian activist from Al-Quds, told Al Mayadeen that "more than 1,500 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque during this period," noting that "groups in large numbers of settlers are carrying out the provocations."
Al Mayadeen correspondent reported that Israeli occupation police declared a state of alert today, against the backdrop of the settlers' intention to hold a march in Al-Quds and surrounding areas.
Far-right groups announced the organization of a “flags march”, this Wednesday afternoon, around Al-Quds and its surrounding areas.
It is worth mentioning that Far-right Knesset Member, Itamar Ben-Gvir, decided to participate in the settlers’ march in Bab Al-Amoud.
Thousands of Palestinians from various occupied lands have risen up, since dawn last Friday, against the occupation, which seeks to secure protection for settler groups to slaughter sacrifices at Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Passover holiday.
This act is considered a desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.