Dozens of Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Wednesday under the protection of Israeli police, according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA.
Citing the Jerusalem Governorate, WAFA reported that the settlers toured the mosque’s courtyards and performed Talmudic rituals during the visit while being escorted by Israeli security forces.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is regarded as Islam’s third-holiest site. Jews refer to the area as the Temple Mount, believing it to be the location of two ancient Jewish temples.
Palestinian officials have accused Israel of intensifying efforts to Judaize occupied East Jerusalem, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, and to alter the city’s Arab and Islamic identity.