JERUSALEM, October 29, 2014 (WAFA) - Jewish settlers Wednesday broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque through the Mughrabi gate and toured its yards in a provocative manner under the protection of Israeli police, said witnesses.

Israeli police were stationed at the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque and imposed strict measures on the worshipers who wish to enter the compound; they seized identity cards and returned them back when worshipers left the compound.

Witnesses told WAFA that Israeli police Tuesday evening stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque, raided al-Marwani Mosque, and seized the back bags of students who study there.

Several extreme Jewish organizations which call for the demolition of Al-Aqsa Mosque and construction of the “Jewish Temple”, organized a conference under the title of “Israel Returns to the Temple Mount”.

Jewish groups called for a mass raid of Al-Aqsa Mosque, during which they are expected to perform provocative tours and prayers. According to sources, they aim to schedule a program for the Jewish Students of the Temple and Israeli rabbis to visit Al-Aqsa compound.

The mounting and recent provocative and dangerous developments in the Old City of Jerusalem sparked tensions between Palestinians and Israeli settlers and police.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is currently administered by Jordan, according to a treaty signed between Jordan and Israel in 1994.

As the main custodian of all Muslim and Christian sites in Palestine, Jordan expressed concerns over calls by several Israeli prominent officials for Israel to take over the sovereignty of the holy site.

According to media sources, a debate held in the Israeli Knesset and introduced under the title “the loss of Israeli sovereignty over the Temple Mount”, was initiated by Moshe Feiglin, a Jewish far-right member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party to control Al-Aqsa Mosque.  

M.H