27 Israeli settlers storm al-Aqsa Mosque

OCCUPIED al-QUDS, (ST)_ Israeli settlers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque today under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces.

According to the Palestinian News and Information  Agency  (WAFA), 27 Israeli settlers stormed al-Aqsa Mosque through al-Mahgareba gate and carried out provocative tours in the courtyards under tight police guard.

Since 2003 Israeli settlers have been allowed to carry out mass break-ins into al-Aqsa Mosque, while escorted by armed forces, every day except Fridays and Saturdays.

For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents the world’s third holiest site. Jews, for their part, refer to the area as the “Temple Mount,” claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem, in which the Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Middle East War. It formally annexed the entire city in 1980, claiming it as its capital – a move never recognized by the international community.

Basma Qaddour