Settlers storm Al-Aqsa, ban Muslims under 60 from entering

Tensions remain high around Al-Aqsa Mosque after Israeli police stormed the parameters and prevented any Palestinian under the age of 60 from entering it yesterday, while allowing large numbers of settlers to ram into the area surrounded by tight security.

The Deputy Speaker of the Knesset Moshe Feiglin and four of his companions stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque and organised a tour of it which lasted 45 minutes. They performed Talmudic rituals, and Feiglin gave a speech at the Dome of the Rock about the claims of sovereignty of Al-Aqsa.

“Hamas and ISIS have taken control of the Temple Mount. Hamas representatives and ISIS members have been able to barricade themselves at the mount. Meanwhile, [Yitzhak] Aharonovich [Minister of Internal Security] prevents police from arresting terrorists in the heart of the capital, which would free the mount from their hands and allow Jews to ascend to the Temple during Sukkot,” Feiglin said.

Some 185 settlers have so far stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque since yesterday morning.

Police once again stormed the area this morning attacking worshipers, local sources reported.

The sources confirmed that a large number of troops stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque and fired stun grenades and pepper gas towards worshippers. They also prevented students from entering school on the Al-Aqsa grounds.

The occupation forces cut off electricity to parts of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and occupation forces climbed onto the roof of the mosque. They went on to close the mosque’s doors and positioned forces at each of the windows threatening those inside with rubber bullets.

Some 58 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque at 7.30am this morning and toured different parts of it while guarded by the occupation forces and rapid response units.