Scores of Jewish Israelis entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Tuesday and performed religious rituals on the occasion of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.

The Islamic Endowment (Waqf) in charge of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound reported that 156 Israelis escorted by Israeli police toured the compound, entering through the Moroccan Gate at 7:30 a.m.

Israeli forces reportedly prevented a number of Palestinian youth from entering the compound, and checked the identity cards of those who were allowed to enter.

https://twitter.com/Razan_Palestine/status/785632257490812928

Witnesses said that Israeli forces forcibly escorted a Palestinian youth out of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and assaulted him, before detaining another, identified as Mufid Ghaith.

The ‘visit’ came as Israeli forces enforced a series of closures and heightened security operations throughout the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the larger Jerusalem district in anticipation of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur on Tuesday.

The Waqf, along with a number of other Islamic organizations, released a statement condemning Israeli violations at the Al-Aqsa compound, saying that it was facing a “vicious attack” by extremist Israeli organizations which continuously call for Jewish worshipers to enter the compound and perform religious rituals there, especially during Jewish holidays, in breach of an agreement between Israel and the Waqf.

(MA’AN, PC)