Dozens of Israeli colonial settlers on Wednesday morning, August 31, broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of Israeli occupation forces, performing provocative rituals.

Local sources reported that at least 83 Israeli settlers have raided the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in groups since the early hours of Wednesday via the Al-Maghariba gate.

Meanwhile, Israeli troops kidnapped one of the Al-Aqsa guards while assuming his job, coinciding with the settlers’ incursions.

Palestinian sources reported that Arafat Najib, one of the guards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, was detained by Israeli troops while working at the Al-Aqsa’s yards.

Israel has a long history of threatening and prosecuting the guards of Al-Aqsa over their work in the mosque, as restrictions have been imposed on the appointment of new employees to Al-Aqsa by the Israeli authorities over the past.