Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque on second day of Jewish Passover
3 Min Read
The Israeli occupation forces are heavily mobilized in Al-Aqsa Mosque in a bid to provide protection for the illegal Israeli settlers storming the holy site.
-
A Palestinian worshipper runs from tear gas fired by IOF at Al Aqsa Mosque in 2021. (AP)
The Islamic Endowments Department in Palestine reported on Wednesday that hundreds of Israeli settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in groups through the al-Mughrabi Gate to mark the second day of Jewish Passover.
During the raid, the settlers, who were guarded and escorted by Israeli occupation forces, performed "Talmudic rituals" and roamed the Al-Aqsa courtyards while receiving presentations on the alleged "Temple Mount".
Meanwhile, Israeli occupation forces imposed severe restrictions on Palestinian worshippers, inspecting their IDs at the gates of al-Quds, and preventing many of them from entering the mosque.
HANDS OFF AL AQSA MOSQUE‼️
— Sir Chilliebean (@Chilliebeanz) April 24, 2024
Part of the Jewish lnvader settlers’ incursions into Al-Aqsa, protected by the Israeli occupation police, who prevent thousands of Palestinians from reaching the mosque. #AlAqsa #AlAqsaMosque #AlQuds #Palestine
pic.twitter.com/r4scqEwLRC
Al-Quds has been turned into a military fortress, with over 3,000 Israeli police officers deployed throughout the city. It is worth noting that dozens of iron barriers have been erected on streets and roads leading to Al-Quds.
On its part, Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas called on Palestinians last Friday to congregate in defense of Al-Aqsa mosque.
The movement added that the call comes to "terminate the plans of the Zionist enemy and its extremist settler gangs and the so-called Temple group to desecrate the courtyards of Al-Aqsa and perform sacrificial rituals inside it."
The big picture
A member of the Israeli parliament, representing the far-right, proposed on April 18 the construction of a "third temple" to supplant Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied al-Quds, as per Anadolu Agency.
Yitzhak Pindrus, a member of the extremist United Torah Judaism Party, expressed his desire for all Jewish people to gather in al-Quds to conduct their Passover sacrifice during a television interview.
“We are hoping that soon the Third Temple will be built there, and we’ll be able to eat there from the Passover sacrifices,” he stressed.
Passover, an important Jewish holiday that commemorates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt during the time of Prophet Moses, holds religious significance in the Jewish calendar. This year, it commences on the evening of April 22 and lasts until April 30.
Al-Aqsa is revered as one of the holiest sites for Muslims worldwide. Conversely, Jews refer to the area as the "Temple Mount", citing its historical significance as the location of two ancient Jewish temples.
The call made by the Knesset member is the most recent in a series of provocative statements and actions by Israeli officials regarding the holy Islamic site.
In a similar context, Israeli media reported a week ago that Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has included changes to the status quo at the site in his Ministry's formal action plans. His plan aims to alter the status quo at the Mosque by granting Israeli control over the site and allowing Jewish worshippers access, as reported by the Israeli public broadcaster, KAN.
