The Jerusalem Governorate reported that during the incursion into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, settlers performed what is referred to as an "epic prostration" in front of the Dome of the Rock, under the protection of Israeli occupation forces.
Quds News Network reported that on Monday morning, extremist Israeli rabbi Eyal Tsinov broke into the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem and performed religious rituals near the Dome of the Rock, which constitutes a violation of the sanctity of the site and a provocation to Muslims.
The area of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock was closed to worshippers during Ramadan and reopened after a truce was reached between the U.S. and Iran. The so-called status quo is in effect in this area, which prohibits non-Islamic rituals, but Israeli settlers, under the protection of the army and police, frequently violate this rule.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right extremist, entered the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Monday, April 6th, through the Mughrabi Gate, under heavy escort by Israeli forces.
The Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem stated that Ben-Gvir toured the mosque's courtyards, entering through the Mughrabi Gate and proceeding to the Chain Gate, before returning the same way, with a heavy presence of Israeli police.
The Waqf added that Israeli forces intensified their military measures around the Al-Aqsa Mosque and closed the gates of Jerusalem's Old City during this incursion.
This incursion comes at a time of escalating calls by settler groups to increase incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and is part of a series of incursions carried out by the extremist Ben-Gvir. He has entered the mosque approximately 14 times since assuming his position in 2023, as part of an increasingly aggressive policy toward the mosque.