Jerusalem: Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Wednesday, marking the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the Governorate issued a press statement expressing its deep concern over the decision by Israeli occupation authorities to extend the duration of settlers' incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque by an additional hour each day throughout Ramadan. The Governorate fears that this temporary extension could evolve into a permanent policy, potentially disrupting the historical and legal status quo at the site, and provoking Muslims in Jerusalem, Palestine, and globally.
The Governorate highlighted that this decision coincides with incitement campaigns by extremist settler groups, who are circulating videos advocating for the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque and spreading false religious narratives. These narratives claim Jewish sanctity over the site, aiming to impose a new reality and enforce temporal and spatial division.
The statement reaffirmed that Al-Aqsa Mosque is solely an Islamic place of worship. It emphasized that any occupation measures targeting the site are null and void, illegitimate, and violate international law and relevant resolutions.
Meanwhile, Israeli occupation broadcasting authorities reported that the army has declared a heightened state of alert in Jerusalem. Additional forces have been reinforced in the West Bank and along the separation wall, with extra border guard and police units deployed in the area.