JERUSALEM — More than 160 Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under heavy Israeli security on Monday, according to Palestinian sources.
The Palestinian Wafa news agency cited the Jerusalem Department of Islamic Endowments as saying that 169 settlers entered through the Moroccan Gate.
Israeli security forces had deployed heavily around the mosque and the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem.
Settlers Perform Religious Rituals
According to Palestinian sources, the settlers toured parts of the compound.
Some also performed Jewish religious rituals there.
The visits came ahead of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
Extremist Jewish groups had called for large-scale visits to the Al-Aqsa compound during the Jewish holidays.
Palestinian officials said groups linked to so-called Temple organisations were seeking to introduce new religious practices at the site.
Jordan Condemns Settler Visits
Jordan condemned what it described as repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa.
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry said such actions violate the historical and legal status quo at the holy site.
Jordan also stressed that the full 144-dunum Al-Aqsa compound serves as a place of worship for Muslims.
Jordanian officials called on the international community to pressure Israel to preserve the existing status of Islamic and Christian holy sites.
They also urged Israel to remove restrictions on Muslim access to Al-Aqsa.
Tensions Rise During Jewish Holidays
The latest incident comes amid rising tensions around Al-Aqsa during Jewish holidays.
Palestinian sources reported that around 240 Israeli settlers entered the compound on September 13.
Some reportedly performed religious rituals during the visit.
Earlier, on September 11, dozens of settlers entered the Bab al-Rahma cemetery near Al-Aqsa.
Palestinian officials said they performed Jewish rituals and blew the shofar there.
The Jerusalem Department said the cemetery visit marked the third consecutive week of similar activity.
Palestinian officials have warned that repeated religious rituals could become normalised over time.
They also accuse settler groups of seeking changes to the existing arrangements at Al-Aqsa.
Restrictions on Palestinian Access
Palestinian sources also reported tighter movement restrictions during the Jewish holidays.
They said Israeli authorities restricted movement in parts of the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
At the same time, Israeli security forces provided protection for settlers visiting areas around Al-Aqsa.
The Jerusalem Department said authorities issued 15 orders between September 1 and 6 to prevent Palestinians from accessing the mosque.
Jordan has also protested similar incidents in recent months.
In August, Jordan condemned visits by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and settlers to Al-Aqsa.
In July, foreign ministers from several Muslim and Arab countries, including Pakistan, rejected any attempt to change the historical and legal status of Al-Aqsa and Jerusalem.
