Israeli Security Forces Allow Settlers to Enter Al-Aqsa Mosque, Resulting in Violence, Tensions in West Bank

(MENAFN) Tensions in the West Bank were running high on Tuesday after Israeli security services allowed settlers to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque on Monday, violating a status quo agreement that forbids such incursions during the last 10 days of Ramadan. The move was met with outrage from the Palestinian community, who view the mosque as one of their holiest sites. The situation escalated when the Israeli army killed two Palestinians and injured a third in the village of Deir Al-Hatab, east of Nablus, during an ambush on Tuesday near the Elon Moreh settlement.

According to Palestinian sources, the two who died, security officer Saud Al-Titi and Mohammed Abu Dira, were ex-prisoners and members of Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, the military wing of President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party. The incident sparked protests and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces, with reports of tear gas and rubber bullets being used to disperse the crowds. The violence continued into the night, with more clashes reported in other parts of the West Bank.

Meanwhile, settler visits to the mosque continued for the sixth day of the Jewish Passover holiday, with around 800 of them praying there. Sources in the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem told Arab News that since the beginning of the Passover, 3,430 settlers had visited Al-Aqsa [4]. The situation has led to increased tensions between the Israeli and Palestinian communities, with many Palestinians viewing the presence of settlers in the mosque as a provocation and a violation of their religious rights.

The Israeli army's decision to allow settlers into the mosque has been widely criticized, with many accusing them of deliberately stoking tensions in the region. The move is seen by Palestinians as part of a wider strategy to establish Israeli control over the occupied territories and to marginalize their presence in the region. The continued visits by settlers to the mosque have also raised concerns about the safety of those who worship there, as well as the potential for further violence and unrest in the coming days.

In response to the situation, Palestinian leaders have called for international support and solidarity. They argue that the Israeli actions violate international law and are a clear violation of Palestinian rights. They have also called for an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The situation remains tense, with many Palestinians fearing that the situation could escalate further in the coming days and weeks.

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