A Dangerous Precedent: Jewish Extremists Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday Carrying Sacrificial Materials
Jerusalem (Occupied) | May 23, 2026 | DeccanLive.com
Tensions increased in Jerusalem after a group of Israeli settlers allegedly entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Friday carrying ritual bread linked to a Jewish religious festival.
According to local sources in Jerusalem, nine settlers entered the mosque compound through Bab al-Ghawanmeh after Asr prayers. Reports claimed that they assaulted two mosque guards before moving toward the Dome of the Rock area while carrying bread connected to the Jewish festival known as the “Feast of Weeks.”
The incident is being described by local Palestinian authorities as highly sensitive and unusual, as Friday is traditionally considered a restricted day for such entries into the mosque compound.
The Jerusalem Governorate said in a statement that the incident was part of what it called increasing attempts by extremist groups to impose new realities inside the Al-Aqsa compound. Officials also alleged that there have been repeated calls by certain groups to perform religious rituals and symbolic sacrifices inside the site.
Authorities further stated that tensions had already been rising because of calls by extremist “Temple groups” encouraging larger numbers of settlers to enter the compound during the Hebrew religious occasion.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound remains one of the most sensitive religious sites in the region and has frequently been at the center of political and religious tensions.
No immediate statement was issued by Israeli authorities regarding the incident.
