Israeli settlers storm al-Aqsa Mosque under military protection

A group of Israeli settlers, escorted by military forces, have stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East al-Quds.

According to Press TV, the settlers forcefully entered the mosque on Wednesday morning, an action which resulted in clashes with Muslim worshippers.

Following the incident, General Director of the Islamic Awqaf and al-Aqsa Affairs Sheikh Azzam al-Khatib voiced concerns over the incident, noting that Israeli authorities are responsible for the clashes.

The Israeli security forces regularly allow extremists to enter the compound under police protection, while restricting Palestinian access.

Under a 1967 deal between Zionist regime and Jordan, the compound’s custodian, non-Muslim worship is prohibited at the site.

In defiance of the agreement, the regime in Tel Aviv regularly allows Israeli settlers and extremists to enter the site and carry out religious rituals -- often under armed guard.

The al-Aqsa Mosque compound is a flashpoint Islamic site, which is also holy to the Jews. The mosque is Islam’s third holiest site after the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, a Palestinian was martyred during clashes with Israeli troops late on Wednesday in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the slain Palestinian as 22-year-old Ahmed Jarrar.

Eyewitnesses said that several people were also injured in the raids which lasted until the early hours of Thursday.

ME