Ben-Gvir and Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque

Channel 12 of the Israeli regime reported on Sunday morning that Itamar Ben-Gvir, the regime’s Minister of National Security, entered Al-Aqsa Mosque again under the pretext of performing prayers. Today’s raid was carried out under heavy protection from Israeli security forces.

The Islamic Waqf administration confirmed that the Mughrabi Gate was closed after 3,023 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque. Some sources from the Palestinian Islamic Waqf office said that 1,251 Israeli settlers raided the mosque early this morning, while Israeli police shut the mosque’s gates to Palestinian worshippers to secure the settlers’ presence.

According to Al Jazeera, citing CCTV footage from inside the mosque, Israeli settlers held rituals inside Al-Aqsa that marked a clear violation of prior arrangements. Such ceremonies were previously confined to the eastern section of the compound, but settlers have now expanded them to several other areas inside the mosque.

In response, Jordan issued a statement condemning Ben-Gvir’s raid as a blatant violation of international law, stressing that Israel has no sovereignty over the mosque.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) also denounced Ben-Gvir’s “criminal assault” on Al-Aqsa Mosque, calling it an aggressive act carried out alongside the ongoing genocide and starvation in Gaza and attacks in the West Bank.

The PFLP added: “Our people will confront the occupiers’ crimes, defend our land and holy sites, and foil the partition plan regardless of the sacrifices.”

Israeli settler incursions into Al-Aqsa have increased in frequency and numbers. During these ceremonies, settlers deliberately raise their voices so loudly that they can be heard from outside the mosque’s walls.

On Saturday night, the Israeli regime’s National Security Minister also took part in a gathering of settlers near Bab al-Qattanin, one of Al-Aqsa’s entrances, where he delivered inflammatory remarks.

Ben-Gvir claimed: “We are not content with mourning. We are thinking about building the ‘Temple of Solomon,’ expanding sovereignty, and exerting control. We have done this in many areas, and we will do it in Gaza as well.”