![Image of the Israeli settlers who stormed into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque on 28 June 2017 [Assabeel.net]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017_6_29-Settlers-storm-Al-Aqsa-589676361.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1)
Scores of extremist settlers stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem yesterday morning.
Sheikh Azzam Al-Khatib, director general of the Department of Islamic Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, said the settlers entered the site through the Mughrabi Gate under security protection from Israel Police.
Read: Netanyahu pledges that Al-Aqsa Mosque will remain occupied 'forever'
Al-Khatib said in an interview with the Petra news agency in Ramallah that the settlers had carried out provocative Talmudic rituals and tours of the courtyards.
Settler incursions of Al-Aqsa have increased in recent years with Israel providing security protection for those wishing to visit the Muslim site. A number of Muslim worshippers and Al-Aqsa guards have been jailed for protesting or trying to stop settlers entering the holy site.
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