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The Day · Friday 12 December 2025

Filed 11:32 · Palestine time (UTC+2) · Jerusalem

09:53–13:13Midday

Sun 30° to 30° · noon, sun 35° 11:33

Sun 35°

Illegal Israeli Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Compound Under Police Protection

Illegal Israeli settlers stormed Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa compound under police protection. The incursion, marked by heavy security presence, reflects rising tensions around one of Islam’s holiest sites. The settlers’ actions, carried out under armed oversight, have drawn condemnation from local observers who view such movements as part of an ongoing provocation in occupied Jerusalem.

JERUSALEM – OCTOBER 09: Fanatical Jewish settlers, who are under the protection of Israeli police, storm Al-Aqsa Mosque during third day of the Sukkot holiday in East Jerusalem, on October 09, 2025. ( Gazi Samad – Anadolu Agency )

Illegal Israeli settlers stormed Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa compound under police protection, in yet another episode reflecting the fraught reality on the ground. Armed with the backing of Israeli police forces, the settlers entered the sacred compound, a move seen as a serious provocation by many in the occupied city. The raid was conducted in a manner consistent with previous incursions, where settlers enter the grounds under the shield of heavy police deployment, creating tension among worshippers and residents alike.

From its side, the Israeli police were deployed in and around Al-Aqsa compound ahead of the settlers’ incursion. Their presence facilitated the entry of the settlers and ensured that the surrounding area remained tightly controlled. The incident unfolded in occupied Jerusalem, where control and presence at Al-Aqsa remain deeply contested. The use of police protection during such entry points to a systematic effort that allows settlers to venture into sites held sacred by Palestinians and Muslims more broadly.

Meanwhile, local sources on the ground have underscored the symbolic and political weight of such acts. The Al-Aqsa compound stands not only as a central religious site but also as a symbol of Palestinian presence in Jerusalem. The recurring entry of illegal Israeli settlers, particularly under the cover of armed forces, is often seen by Palestinians as part of wider schemes linked to the occupation and displacement in the city. The framing of these settlers as ‘illegal’ remains a key issue due to the ongoing status of Jerusalem under international and humanitarian law.

In addition, the timing and manner of this latest storming were consistent with previous incursions that have sparked widespread condemnation and calls for resistance. The presence of Israeli police — not as neutral peacekeepers but as facilitators — underlines the asymmetry between the occupying power and the local population. Witnesses have often described the atmosphere during such incursions as heavy, with an overwhelming police apparatus ensuring settlers’ safe passage while suppressing any form of local response.

Furthermore, the storming of the compound under these conditions has continued to raise alarm among Palestinian religious and civil institutions. The heightened tension around Al-Aqsa is a clear point of resistance, representing a broader struggle against occupation and control over Jerusalem. Each unauthorized entry by settlers is a reminder of the fragile balance in the city and the constant pressure imposed on Palestinian life and sovereignty.

From its side, the Palestinian public continues to regard these invasions as violations of their rights and dignity — a daily reality under occupation. Despite the absence of wider media reporting, these events resonate across Palestinian society, particularly in urban centers like Gaza and the West Bank, where narratives of resistance remain central to daily discourse. Though no additional details have been provided, the act itself — settlers entering Al-Aqsa under police guard — tells a deeper story of occupation, resistance, and the unbroken will of a people to protect their sacred sites under the harsh conditions imposed by an ongoing military presence.

12 Dec, 11:32

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