Settlers storm Al Aqsa Mosque, IOF detain Palestinians in West Bank

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
30 Dec 2024 11:30
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This incursion coincides with the fifth day of the Hanukkah holiday, the Jewish festival of light, during which settlers have called for increased incursions into Al Aqsa Mosque.

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This view from the Mount of the Olives shows the old city walls of al-Quds, the Dome of the Rock mosque in the Aqsa complex, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Catholic Franciscan monastery of St Saviour, on December 28, 2024. (AFP)

Israeli settlers stormed Monday morning the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, performing Talmudic rituals under the protection of Israeli occupation police.

The occupation forces tightened restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshippers to Al-Aqsa, imposing stringent military measures at all the mosque's gates, as well as around the Old City of al-Quds and its entrances.

This incursion coincides with the fifth day of the Hanukkah holiday, the Jewish festival of light, during which settlers have called for increased incursions into the mosque, which continues until the end of this week.

مستوطنون يقتحمون المسجد الأقصى المبارك في خامس أيام ما يسمى "عيد الأنوار" العبري. pic.twitter.com/g8VVnv8qSw
— المركز الفلسطيني للإعلام (@PalinfoAr) December 30, 2024

Detentions and raids in occupied West Bank

In a related context, Israeli occupation forces also raided Wadi al-Qelt in Areeha, in the occupied West Bank, closing roads and streets near the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp with earthen berms.

قوات الاحتلال وجرافة للاحتلال تقتحم منطقة وادي القلط في أريحا وتغلق الطرق والشوارع المحاذية لمخيم عقبة جبر بالسواتر الترابية pic.twitter.com/r4u6lh3QJd
— المركز الفلسطيني للإعلام (@PalinfoAr) December 30, 2024

The forces stormed the town of Idhna, west of al-Khalil, raiding and searching several homes and vandalizing their contents. The town has been under a strict siege for 121 days, with the occupation closing its main entrance with an iron gate and blocking all side dirt roads with earthen berms.

The occupation forces also continue to block entrances to towns and refugee camps in al-Khalil, while intensifying military measures in the alleys of the Old City.

In Tulkarm, Israeli occupation forces detained two Palestinians from the town of Qaffin, north of the city, after raiding their homes.

Additionally, the occupation forces stormed the town of Azzun, east of Qalqilya, raiding and searching several Palestinian homes before withdrawing after more than three hours.

Earlier, Israeli occupation forces had raided the villages of Hajja and Baqat al-Hatab, east of Qalqilya, deploying in several neighborhoods.

In Beit Lahm, Israeli occupation forces detained two Palestinians from the town of Tuqu’, southeast of the city, at dawn after raiding their families' homes.

قوات الاحتلال تعتقل عددا من الشبان خلال اقتحام بلدة تقوع جنوب شرق بيت لحم فجر اليوم. pic.twitter.com/XlMijT0dvp
— المركز الفلسطيني للإعلام (@PalinfoAr) December 30, 2024