Scores of settlers break into al Aqsa Mosque

Scores of Jewish settlers, accompanied by several rabbis, broke into Al Aqsa mosque from Bab Magharba gate under the protection of the Israeli army on Thursday, to mark Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights and religious freedom. The festival starts today and runs till December 5. In press statements, Al Aqsa Institution for Endowment and Heritage's media coordinator Mahmoud Abu Atta said 120 settlers stormed the yards of the holy mosque and chatted with their rabbis on the alleged Solomon Structure. He expected the number of settlers to increase in next hours to mark their religious occasion. He added that hundreds of Palestinians, including students of Sharia Schools, are still camping out at the mosque to act as human shields to protect the mosque, the Muslim's third holiest shrine. In recent weeks, groups of Jewish settlers – often accompanied by Israeli security forces – have repeatedly entered the Aqsa Mosque complex. The repeated violations came after a Knesset member called for allowing Jews to pray in the grounds of the mosque during their religious holidays. Also, the Knesset is debating a legislation, which, if passed, would "divide" the Aqsa mosque compound between Muslims and Jews.