Israeli settlers raid Aqsa Mosque in latest provocation
Scores of settlers break into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound under the protection of Israeli forces who take away four Palestinians working for a charity organization in Jerusalem al-Quds during a raid.
Over 80 settlers raided the extremely sensitive site in the early hours of Sunday, in the latest provocative act.
The move is considered to be an incursion under a 1967 deal between Israel and Jordan that is the custodian of the mosque. According to the agreement, non-Muslim worshipers can visit the place but are prohibited from praying there.
Tel Aviv, however, often allows settlers to enter the site and carry out religious rituals in defiance of the accord.
Israeli forces meanwhile abducted four Palestinians working for Islamic Waqf (Endowment) organization during a raid on the al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
The raid took place on Saturday targeting those working for the organization’s al-Aqsa Reconstruction Committee.
The Palestinian-run International Middle East Media Center news organization named those targeted as Issa Dabbagh, Bassem Zghayyar, Jom’a Manasra, and Hamad Alqam.
It said the four were taken away while performing their duties, and moved to the al-Qashla detention and interrogation center in the Old City of Jerusalem al-Quds.
The Waqf organization is trusted with controlling and managing the Islamic edifices on and around the Mosque’s compound.
This is not the first time Israeli forces target the body. Last July, it was reported that the forces had stolen a large number of confidential documents belonging to the organization.
Hassan Khater, the head of al-Quds International Center, said at the time that the appropriation had taken place over three days that followed a reported shootout on July 14 near the site.
Israel fully closed off the holy compound after the alleged incident, prompting international protest and angry Palestinian demonstrations that were met with deadly Israeli response.
Separately, it was reported that Israeli forces had ambushed and abducted 68 Palestinian workers across the city of al-Khalil (Hebron) south of the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Ma’an news agency reported.
They handed over those held, all aged between 20 and 60, to the Israeli intelligence service for questioning, it added.
A 20-year-old Palestinian youth was injured in the hand and leg during the sweep, suffering a fracture.
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