Netanyahu and settlers enter Al-Aqsa area for rituals

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu entered the Western Wall area in occupied East Jerusalem early on Sunday. He was accompanied by thousands of Israelis, including government officials and ministers, according to the Jerusalem Governorate of Palestine.

The group moved into the plaza after passing through Wadi Street in the Old City. This movement occurred as Israeli groups called for prayers and religious rituals near the Gate of Mercy, which is one of the entrances to the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard.

Thousands of Israeli settlers also stormed the Al-Buraq Wall plaza west of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. They performed Talmudic rituals in the area, an act reported as a significant escalation in the occupied city.

Last Sunday, settlers had already stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque under heavy protection from Israeli soldiers. Local sources indicated that approximately 240 individuals entered the compound via the Moroccan Gate during that earlier incident.

These individuals carried out prayers and rituals that are prohibited under a 1967 status quo agreement governing the site. The agreement strictly regulates access and religious practices to maintain order at the sensitive holy location in occupied Jerusalem.

Large numbers of Palestinians were also present in the area to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Many others were shopping in the Old City despite the heavy presence of Israeli groups and security forces during the religious observances.

Israeli police have unilaterally allowed Israeli groups to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard since 2003. The recent gatherings were part of Selichot prayers held in the days leading up to Yom Kippur in the autumn season.