Waqf reports about 700 Israeli entries to Al-Aqsa compound
The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Department said the entries took place under Israeli police protection during Sukkot, as Palestinian Muslim entry restrictions reportedly continued.
About 700 Israelis entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Wednesday, the fifth day of Sukkot, according to the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Department. The department said former lawmaker Moshe Feiglin was among them and that Israeli police protected the entry.
Wafa, citing the Jerusalem governorate, reported that restrictions on Palestinian Muslim entry continued. The governorate also said authorities closed roads near the Lions’ Gate area and the entrance to al-Turba Road leading to Silwan, to ease Israeli access to the Western Wall.
The source reported that visitors performed Jewish religious rituals and sang in the compound’s courtyards. These details, like the entry count and restrictions, are attributed to Palestinian sources and were not independently confirmed in the report.
The compound is also known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as the Temple Mount. The report describes a longstanding arrangement under which the Waqf administers the site and Muslim worship takes place there.
The Waqf reported 966 Israeli entries on Tuesday. Sukkot runs until October 2, with Simchat Torah due on October 3.
