Israeli special forces and police raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound via the Moroccans Gate, on Thursday morning.
Israeli forces raided the Marawani and Dome of the Rock mosques inside the compound.
An Israeli policeman also attempted to enter the Dome of the Rock mosque wearing a kippah; Israeli forces then imposed closure on the compound for several hours.
? Israeli occupation forces, Zionist settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque, Dome of the Rock
— Almanarnews English (@AlmanarEnglish) January 17, 2019
Israeli forces have been heavily deployed across the compound since early morning hours.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosque. The third holiest site in Islam, it is also venerated as Judaism’s most holy place, as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood.
Israel: The Zionists Israeli regime forces finally withdrew from the al-Aqsa complex after besieging Qubbat al-Sakhra and banned Palestinian pilgrims from entering it since Monday morning, 14-01-2019 pic.twitter.com/hrp7jhqI7O
— Rowan Van Dijk (@Lastkombo) January 16, 2019
While Jewish visitation is permitted to the compound, non-Muslim worship at Al-Aqsa is prohibited according to an agreement signed between Israel and the Jordanian government after Israel’s illegal occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967.
(Ma’an, PC, Social Media)
