Hundreds of illegal Israel settlers storm Al-Aqsa complex on 5th day of Sukkot holiday

Hundreds of illegal Israeli settlers, on Thursday, forced their way into the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in Occupied East Jerusalem on the fifth day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, according to the Islamic Waqf Department, Anadolu Agency reports.

In a statement, the department said that at least 240 settlers entered the site under the protection of Israeli police.

Sukkot is a week long holiday, which started on 29 September and will continue until 6 October, ending a season of Jewish holidays that started by observing the Rosh Hashanah (New Year) on 15 September.

Settlers stormed the complex in groups through the Al-Mughrabi Gate in the western wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque, witnesses told Anadolu.

READ: Jordan sends ‘memo of protest’ to Israel over Al-Aqsa settler incursions

At least 4,551 settlers have stormed the complex since Sunday, according to data from the Islamic Waqf Department.

Israeli police began allowing the settler incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in 2003, despite repeated condemnations from Palestinians.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world’s third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area the Temple Mount, claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. It annexed the entire city in 1980, a move never recognised by the international community.

READ: PA calls for international intervention to stop settler attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque