1,615 ’Israelis’ Stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in September

Local Editor

At least 1,615 "Israelis" forced their way into the al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East al-Quds during the month of September, a Palestinian NGO said Wednesday.

Of these, as many as 1,340 were Zionist settlers, while the remainder were army troops, the al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage said in a statement.

"Israeli" Settling Minister Uri Ariel and Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch were among the "Israelis" who forcibly entered the site in September, the NGO, which is devoted to protecting the al-Aqsa from "Israeli" violations, said.

September's intrusions were accompanied by the arrest of a number of activists and Muslim worshippers inside the mosque, it said.

The "Israeli" authorities also banned 100 people from entering the compound for periods ranging from two weeks to six months.

On several occasions in September, "Israeli" forces also barred Palestinian Muslim worshippers - including women and children - from entering the mosque complex, the NGO added.

"Israeli" authorities could not be reached for comment on the NGO's assertions.
In recent months, groups of extremist Zionist settlers, often accompanied by "Israeli" security forces, have repeatedly forced their way into the al-Aqsa complex.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team