File Photo: Israeli security forces accompany settlers past the Al Aqsa Mosque. AFP
According to eyewitnesses, settlers broke into the mosque compound from the Maghrebi Gate and prayed in the courtyard while imposing restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers.
Such actions are a violation of the decades-old status quo that allows non-Muslims to visit the mosque compound but prevents them from praying there.
Such violations had become commonplace even before 7 October, but have increased significantly since then.
They are widely considered to be provocative actions that undermine the foundation of the peace process based on a two-state solution.
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