Tensions Rise in East Jerusalem as Dozens of Israeli Settlers Enter Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound

JERUSALEM — Tensions flared in occupied East Jerusalem after a group of around 90 Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under heavy escort by Israeli police, according to local officials and witnesses.

According to statements from the Jerusalem Governorate, the settlers entered the sacred site through the Al-Mughrabi Gate (Dung Gate)—the customary access point for non-Muslim visitors—under the protection of armed Israeli security forces. During the visit, groups gathered in the compound's courtyards, where several individuals performed religious rituals and Talmudic prayers in violation of long-standing status quo arrangements.

Simultaneously, Israeli police established strict security checkpoints across the Old City, severely restricting access for local Palestinian worshippers seeking to attend prayers. Armed officers deployed around the perimeter gates of Al-Aqsa, checking identification documents and turning away many young men and women.

The Islamic Waqf Department, the Jordanian-appointed authority that oversees and administers the holy site, issued a statement condemning the incursions as a deliberate provocation. Palestinian officials warned that repeated visits by settler groups, often accompanied by far-right activists, threaten to alter the historical and legal status quo of the compound, escalating friction in the region.

Al-Aqsa Mosque represents the third-holiest site in Islam, while Jews venerate the area as the Temple Mount, the location of two ancient biblical temples. The incident comes amid broader security concerns across the region, with local authorities maintaining an elevated state of alert to prevent further violent outbreaks.

In response to the developments, international diplomats and regional leaders renewed calls for restraint, urging all parties to respect the long-held administrative arrangements that govern access to Jerusalem’s holy sites. Foreign ministry officials from neighboring countries warned that escalating tensions at the sanctuary risk sparking broader civil unrest across the Palestinian territories and the wider region.

Meanwhile, local Palestinian community leaders called for increased presence at the compound to safeguard the site against further unauthorized incursions. As police forces maintain their heavy presence around the Old City's gates, residents and visitors alike remain on high alert, with fear growing that continued friction could trigger a wider political and security crisis.