Dozens of Israeli colonial settlers invaded Monday, 26 September 2022, the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, performing provocative rituals under the Israeli occupation forces’ protection.

Local sources reported that dozens of Israeli colonial settlers broke into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa and performed provocative Talmudic rituals in some of its yards amid the so-called “Hebrew New Year” celebrations. 

Thousands of Israeli forces deployed in sensitive areas in Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards to guard colonial settlers’ incursions into Muslim holy sites in the occupied Jerusalem. 

Israeli occupation also imposed strict restrictions on the entry of Palestinians to the compound, only allowing people above the age of 40 access to the compound.

The Israeli forces fired rubber-coated metal bullets and sound bombs in the Mosque’s courtyards.

The event comes at a time of particularly high tensions following months of increased tensions.

It is noteworthy, IOF called on Israeli settlers to take up arms while attending synagogues during the upcoming ‘Hebrew New Year’s celebrations, especially in the occupied city of Jerusalem.

As part of a decades-old accord between Jordan and the Israeli occupation, non-Muslims are not allowed to perform any religious rituals inside the confines of Al-Aqsa Mosque, nor are Israeli symbols allowed to be displayed.

In 2003, the Waqf’s management of Al-Aqsa visits was revoked by Israeli authorities. Since then, Israeli forces have allowed colonial settlers to break into the site on a near-daily basis. 

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid gave the green light for the colonial settlers’ incursions into the Al-Aqsa mosque and displayed the Israeli symbols in what Palestinians see as a provocation of their feelings and a desecration of the sanctity of the mosque.