Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, accompanied by hundreds of Israeli settlers, stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Monday morning under heavy protection from Israeli police. The visit took place as part of activities marking “Jerusalem Day,” which commemorates Israel’s 1967 annexation of East Jerusalem.

According to the official Palestinian news agency WAFA, citing local sources, more than 1,000 settlers, along with Minister Ben Gvir, performed what were described as “provocative rituals” in the mosque courtyards amid strict security and military measures imposed by Israeli forces around the holy site.

The incursion comes amid rising tensions in Jerusalem, with growing warnings of potential escalation due to continued violations at the city’s sacred sites.