Scores of Israeli settlers break into Al-Asqa Mosque

Occupied Al-Quds, (ST) – Scores of Israeli fanatic settlers guarded by police  broke into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound today in occupied Al-Quds (Jerusalem), according to Wafa News Agency.

The Islamic Waqf authority said scores of Israeli settlers entered the compound through the Mugharibeh

(Moroccan) Gate in groups and performed rituals there under the protection of Israeli police officers.

Since 2003, the Israeli occupation authorities have been allowing settlers into the compound almost on a daily basis, with the exclusion of Friday, the Muslim day of rest and worship.

The Islamic Waqf has repeatedly described the settlers’ presence in Al-Aqsa Mosque as provocative, saying that Palestinian worshippers and guards at Al-Aqsa feel uncomfortable with the presence of Israeli occupation police and settlers touring the Islamic holy site.

Israel captured East Al-Quds, where Al-Aqsa Mosque is located, during the Six-Day War in 1967 in a move never recognized by the international community.

Jericho remains under Israeli occupation military siege for the second week

In another development, for the second week respectively, the archaeological city of Jericho, east of the occupied West Bank, and its surroundings remain under a tight Israeli closure, with roadblocks and checkpoints set up by the Israeli occupation army on all the roads leading to the city.

Israeli army checkpoints stop and thoroughly check every car leaving the ancient city, causing unsustainable delays and traffic jams.

Residents and travelers to Jordan, who have to go through Jericho to reach the Allenby/King Hussein/Karama bridge crossing, complain of long delays and thorough searches at the army checkpoints placed at all entrances to the tourist city.

Palestinians have complained that Israel is imposing collective punishment on the entire city, gravely harming its economy particularly during the high season considering that Jericho is a popular destination for internal and foreign tourism at this time due to its warm temperature during the winter season and the beauty of its terrain.

Occasionally, army units break into Jericho, mainly Aqbat Jabr refugee camp, as they did yesterday, and conduct searches. The last raid on the camp resulted in the injury of 13 Palestinians, including three seriously.

Raghda Sawas