More than 3,200 Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

More than 3,200 Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem to perform religious rituals. The incursion took place under police escort, which restricted Muslim access to the holy site and detained some worshippers. This was reported by Anadolu Ajansı.

The large-scale action on July 23, 2026, was led by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir together with Knesset member Amit Halevi.

According to the Jerusalem Governorate, Israeli security forces admitted settlers in groups of 150, allowing them to perform Talmudic rituals and sing loudly in the eastern part of the compound. Israeli police deployed forces throughout the mosque grounds, preventing Palestinians from entering and using force against residents of the Old City.

The Jerusalem Governorate condemned the incident, describing the minister's participation as a "dangerous escalation" and an attempt to alter the historic status quo of the holy site. The authority stressed that the shift from group attacks to official government backing represents a "dangerous shift" in Israeli policy.

As the Union of Orthodox Journalists reported, Israeli authorities decided to hand over security of Al-Aqsa Mosque to religious Jews.

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