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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Asharq Al-Awsat

Israeli Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque

A man walks in front of the Dome of the Rock in the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary in Jerusalem's Old City on March 15, 2020. (Reuters)

Israeli settlers have stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque flanked by Israeli police following a series of clashes that escalated since the start of the Holy month of Ramadan last week.

Tens of settlers entered the holy compound and performed the Talmud rituals in the Mosque’s courtyards despite the objection of guards and worshipers.

The settlers were led by a number of rabbis, who had pushed for celebrating the Hebrew Easter at Al-Aqsa.

This year, the Hebrew Easter or Passover is celebrated in the middle of the month of Ramadan, from 15 to 22 April.

Last Sunday, Israeli settlers also broke into Jerusalem's Aqsa mosque where they held several lectures about the Hebrew Easter.

This came as Palestinian and Israeli officials warned against an escalation during Ramadan, similar to what happened last year, when the repeated incursions of settlers into Al-Aqsa led to escalated tensions and ended in bloody confrontations in Jerusalem and a war in Gaza.

On Monday, the Fatah Movement said the behavior of the Israeli occupied authorities during the month of Ramadan was “systematic and deliberate.”

The Movement also condemned Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's visit to Damascus Gate in the Old City of East Jerusalem on Sunday.

It also warned of the consequences of the aggressive Israeli policy practiced against Muslim worshipers during the Holy month.

“Such practices threaten to explode the situation and turn the conflict into an open religious war, undermining international peace and security, and inflaming the feelings of Muslims,” it said.

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