JERUSALEM, Thursday, October 17, 2019 (WAFA) – Hundreds of hardcore Israeli Jewish settlers broke into the Al-Aqsa mosque compound today, guarded by Israeli police, according to Director of Al-Aqsa Mosque Omar Kiswani.

Kiswani told WAFA that some 432 settlers, including students of Talmudic yeshivas, broke into the holy mosque in groups, under heavy protection from Israeli police, and went on provocative tours into the Muslim holy site.

The settlers also performed Talmudic rituals and prayers at the holy site.

He added that Israeli authorities tightened access restrictions for Palestinians in the area under the pretext of securing protection for the settlers.

Some right-wing Israeli activists have advocated for the destruction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to make way for a Third Temple.

Messianic Jewish settlers are hoping to establish an increased presence on the site of the Al-Aqsa mosque, among the most important Muslim shrines in the world and potent symbols of Palestinian nationalism, and calling for building a third temple on what they term the “Temple Mount”.

Their far-right beliefs were once considered a small fringe movement, but in recent years, they have found favor in the administration of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, receiving the endorsement of many lawmakers.

Settlers incursions into the mosque compound coupled with the takeover of church property in Jerusalem are perceived as part of the plan to transform a multi-religious and multi-cultural city into a “reunified” Jewish city under the exclusive control and sovereignty of Israel.

K.T./ K.F.