Hundreds of occupiers storm ‘Joseph’s Tomb’ under Israeli military protection

Hundreds of Israeli occupiers stormed “Joseph’s Tomb” in the eastern part of Nablus in the occupied West Bank early Thursday and performed Talmudic rituals under heavy protection from Israeli forces, according to official sources.

Israeli military vehicles stormed the eastern part of Nablus and forced residents of homes surrounding the site to evacuate, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.

The homes were turned into military barracks, while Israeli snipers were deployed on the rooftops of several houses, it added, citing local sources.

Buses carrying hundreds of occupiers entered the eastern part of the city and headed to “Joseph’s Tomb,” where they performed Talmudic rituals, according to the report.

The incident came amid intensified incursions by Israeli occupiers into Muslim holy sites during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, which began Sept. 26 and runs through Oct. 2.

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On Wednesday, nearly 2,500 Israeli occupiers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem during the holiday under Israeli police protection, according to the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Department.

The incursions have included Talmudic rituals, prayers, dancing and singing, according to the department.

The Waqf said more than 1,500 occupiers entered the compound Sunday, more than 1,700 Monday and over 1,400 Tuesday.

“Joseph’s Tomb” is located on the eastern edge of Nablus, an area under Palestinian control, and is one of the most tense sites in the West Bank.

Since Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, Jewish worshippers have regarded the site as a sacred religious shrine and believe the remains of the Prophet Joseph, son of Jacob, are buried there. Archaeologists dispute that claim, saying the site is only a few centuries old and is likely the tomb of a Muslim sheikh named Yusuf Dweikat.

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