Israeli settlers storm al-Aqsa grounds

Israeli extremist settlers on Thursday stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, barging in via the Al-Magharebah Gate under the escort of Israeli soldiers in what has become a daily provocation against Muslim worshippers. Palestinian sources said that the settlers, led by radical Rabbi Yehuda Glick, stormed the compound in groups and carried out provocative tours inside its yards in a breach of Islam’s third holiest shrine. “Israeli police stationed at the main gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque imposed strict measures on the entry of young Palestinians into the mosque and confiscated the identity cards of those who were allowed in”, the sources added. Meanwhile, the Arab Jerusalem Directorate of Education adopted a program to send students for the Al-Aqsa Mosque, on a daily basis and free of charge, to carry out planned tours and events on the grounds of the holy Mosque.