Hundreds of Israelis Enter Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound Under Police Protection

Hundreds of Israelis entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Wednesday, September 30, during the fifth day of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

According to the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Department, about 700 Israelis, including former Israeli lawmaker Moshe Feiglin, entered the compound under the protection of Israeli police.

The visitors reportedly performed Jewish religious rituals and sang in the mosque’s courtyards, actions described as violating the longstanding status quo governing the holy site.

At the same time, Israeli authorities continued restricting Palestinian Muslim access to the compound, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

The historical status quo places the administration of the compound, also known as Al-Haram Al-Sharif, under the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf and designates it as a Muslim place of worship.

The Jerusalem governorate also reported that Israeli authorities closed roads leading to the Lions’ Gate area and Al-Turba Road toward Silwan to facilitate access for Israelis visiting the Western Wall.

The latest incident follows repeated entries by Israelis into the Al-Aqsa compound during the Jewish holiday season. On Tuesday, about 966 Israelis entered through the Moroccan Gate accompanied by Israeli police, with reports of religious rituals and singing inside the compound.

The Jewish holiday season began with Rosh Hashanah on September 12 and 13, followed by Yom Kippur on September 21 and 22. Sukkot runs from September 26 to October 2, followed by Simchat Torah on October 3.

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