Occupied Jerusalem, April 22 (QNA) - Colonists stormed the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque Wednesday under heavy protection from Israeli occupation forces.

The Palestinian News Agency (WAFA), citing the Jerusalem Governorate, reported that dozens of colonists entered the mosque’s courtyards and performed provocative rituals near Bab al-Rahma and the Dome of the Rock.

The groups affiliated with the so-called “Temple” had circulated inciting calls to mobilize settlers to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque and raise the occupation flag in its courtyards, while Israeli police continued to tighten restrictions, set up checkpoints, close roads in Jerusalem, and restrict worshippers’ access to the mosque by holding IDs and conducting searches. (QNA)

Since the beginning of April, the frequency of these incursions has increased. The far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque on April 12, performing Talmudic rituals alongside colonists, marking his third such incursion since the start of the year and the 16th since assuming office. (QNA)