Groups of Israeli settlers broke Sunday morning, September 25, 2022 into the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards in occupied Jerusalem and performed rituals, according to eyewitnesses.

The Jordan-run Islamic Waqf Department, in charge of the holy site, stated that groups of Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards through Al-Maghariba Gate and Al-Buraq Wall plaza, which overlooks the Mosque from the west and performed rituals and Talmudic prayers there under the protection of Israeli police officers.

This comes amid calls by far-right settler organizations to hold mass break-ins into the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem’s Old City starting early this week.

Since 2003, the Israeli occupation authorities have allowed settlers into the courtyards almost on a daily basis, with the exclusion of Friday, Muslim’s day of rest and worship.

Jewish ultranationalist groups have called on their followers for mass presence at the Mosque during the upcoming Jewish New Year, which starts on Monday, September 26, 2022 and the following Sukkot holiday. Some settlers have even called for blowing horns during the Jewish religious rituals inside the yards of Al-Aqsa Mosque.