Israeli visits and religious rituals at the Al-Aqsa compound have increased in recent months, particularly during Jewish holidays, according to Palestinian officials.

EAST JERUSALEM: Around 100 Israelis entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday morning under the protection of Israeli security forces, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.

The governorate’s media office said the group entered the courtyards of the compound and carried out Jewish religious rituals while Israeli police provided security.

The incident took place a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, several ministers and thousands of Israelis visited the Western Wall plaza in East Jerusalem under heavy security.

The latest entry into the Al-Aqsa compound coincided with the start of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, which begins Sunday evening and continues until Monday evening.

Incursions increase during Jewish holidays

Israeli visits and religious rituals at the Al-Aqsa compound have increased in recent months, particularly during Jewish holidays, according to Palestinian officials.

Palestinian authorities have repeatedly warned against what they describe as attempts to change the existing arrangements at the site or introduce separate prayer times or areas.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the compound on Thursday and praised Jewish visitors who, according to him, had prayed at the site.

His visit was criticised by Palestinian officials and Jordan, which has a special custodial role at Jerusalem’s Muslim and Christian holy sites.

Why Al-Aqsa compound is important

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is located in Jerusalem’s Old City and is one of the most sensitive religious sites in the Middle East.

Muslims consider Al-Aqsa one of Islam’s holiest sites, while Jews refer to the wider compound as the Temple Mount and consider it their most sacred site.

The site has long been a major point of tension between Israelis and Palestinians, with its status and access arrangements remaining highly sensitive.