Hundreds of Israelis storm Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jewish New Year

On Tuesday, coinciding with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, hundreds of ultranationalist Israelis stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem.

Under the heavy protection of Israeli forces, groups of settlers entered the mosque complex, where they carried out Jewish prayers, sang, danced, and performed religious rituals.

These actions breach long-established international agreements — known as the status quo — which recognize Al-Aqsa Mosque as a solely Islamic place of worship.

Such Israeli incursions into the compound have become almost routine, but their frequency typically rises during Jewish and national holidays.

Beyadenu – Returning to the Temple Mount, an Israeli organization that leads many of these raids, had called on supporters to stage mass entries between 22 and 24 September in an attempt to set new records for settler participation.

According to Temple Mount groups, 58,310 settlers entered Al-Aqsa over the past Hebrew year (5,785), reflecting a 14% rise from the previous year and a fivefold increase compared with a decade earlier.

These groups openly call for the demolition of Al-Aqsa Mosque to make way for the construction of a third Jewish temple.

Ahead of Tuesday’s raid, Israeli authorities further restricted Palestinian movement in Jerusalem, including limiting access for worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.