Occupied Jerusalem, February 17 (QNA) - Hundreds of Israeli colonists entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Tuesday under heavy police protection, according to Palestinian officials.

The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem said 640 colonists accessed the site through the Mughrabi Gate, describing the visits as incursions ahead of what is referred to as the Hebrew new month — a minor festival celebrated on the first day of every month in the Hebrew calender.

In a statement, the Waqf said groups toured the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and performed Talmudic rituals in its eastern area. It added that some visitors distributed prayer leaflets and a special supplement marking the Hebrew new month, which Israeli police had permitted to be brought into the compound at the end of January, making it a daily occurrence.

Palestinian officials also said Israeli authorities had increased the number of exclusion orders barring Jerusalem residents from entering the mosque compound. They described the move as an attempt to reduce the Palestinian presence at the site and to impose further restrictions on religious worship.

According to the Jerusalem Governorate, 4,397 colonists entered the compound during January, in addition to 7,868 others who visited under the cover of tourism. (QNA)