2,057 Israelis stormed Al-Aqsa in December

Some 2,057 Israelis stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in December, Quds Press reported.

The month of December witnessed 1,331 settlers and 617 Jewish students entering the mosque’s compound, along with 91 military officers from the Israeli police and intelligence forces, the Shin Bet. They enter from the Mughrabi Gate and leave from the Silsila Gate.

In addition to this, eight Israeli journalists and ten government employees entered the mosque under the protection of armed police officers and forces.

A Quds Press correspondent noted that Israelis have been standing outside Al-Aqsa Mosque’s gates and performing Talmudic rituals, singing and dancing in an effort to provoke Palestinian worshippers. Six settlers lit Hanukah candles near Al-Qatanin Gate.

During this eight day Jewish holiday (beginning on 23 December), Al-Aqsa witnessed 702 storming incidents by Israelis, including officials from the Israeli government and 38 students.

Settlers and Jewish worshippers normally come to the mosque between 07:30 (05:30 GMT) and 10:00 (08:00 GMT) and again after the Muslim prayer of duhr every day except Fridays and Saturdays.

Quds Press’ correspondent reported that Israeli police have repeated ignored objections made by the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf and other Palestinian religious and political figures. Many believe this is in an effort to create a new reality on the group and split the compound both spatially and temporally.