Image/masjidalaqsa.com
Israeli Settlers Enter Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound Amid Rising Tensions in West Bank
Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday, escorted by Israeli police, and performed rituals, sparking tensions amid ongoing unrest. Concurrently, Israeli forces imposed movement restrictions on Palestinian students in the West Bank, blocking access to schools in Hebron. Multiple arrests and violent clashes took place across the region, with reports of more than 1,490 attacks by Israeli forces and settlers throughout October. These incidents included property damage, roadblocks, and assaults on Palestinian communities, highlighting the mounting difficulties faced by Palestinians under occupation.
On Sunday, Israeli settlers entered the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, escorted by Israeli occupation police. During this incursion, groups of settlers conducted religious rituals and toured the mosque's grounds, a move widely regarded by Palestinians as a provocation and infringement on the sanctity of the site.
In a simultaneous incident, Israeli forces prevented Palestinian students in the West Bank from accessing their schools. In Hebron, students at Ziad Jaber Elementary School were blocked from attending classes due to barriers and roadblocks set up by Israeli forces. Local sources reported that the Israeli military often restricts student movement during Jewish holidays to secure settler access to sites like the Ibrahimi Mosque.
Also Read: Israeli Forces Aim to Disable Medical Systems in Northern Gaza, Leaving Over 100,000 Civilians Trapped
Arrests and Clashes in Hebron, Ramallah, and Qalqilya
Israeli forces detained multiple Palestinians across the West Bank on Sunday, including two men from the Al-Fawwar refugee camp south of Hebron. According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the Israeli army stormed the camp, searched homes, and arrested Khaled Abu Omar and Salah al-Din al-Maghalasa. Increased military presence and road closures in Hebron disrupted access to neighboring towns and refugee camps, adding to the residents' difficulties.
In Ramallah, the Israeli military detained four Palestinians, including 70-year-old Saleh Hassan Ankoosh and his two sons, Hassan and Youssef, from Deir Abu Mishal. Another young man, Salam Ayad, was detained in the town of Silwad. Additionally, Israeli forces opened fire on a Palestinian vehicle in Al-Midya village, forcing it to crash into a wall. No injuries were reported.
The Israeli military also carried out raids in other areas near Ramallah, including Ni'lin, Deir Qaddis, Beit Sira, Beit Luqia, and Kafr Ni'meh, as well as the Qalandiya refugee camp and the town of Jaba near Jenin.
Surge in Attacks During October
The Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission reported that October saw a significant rise in attacks by both Israeli forces and settlers, with a total of 1,490 documented incidents across the West Bank. Israeli forces were responsible for 1,130 of these attacks, while settler groups conducted 360. The Nablus governorate faced the highest number of attacks, followed by Hebron and Jerusalem.
These incidents included armed assaults on Palestinian communities, land confiscations, the destruction of property, and the establishment of military checkpoints that obstruct Palestinian movement. In particular, settler groups engaged in acts of vandalism and theft, targeting olive crops, farming tools, and vehicles. The commission noted that there were 26 incidents of olive crop theft, along with several cases of stolen olive-picking equipment and vehicles.
The escalating violence and restrictions have intensified humanitarian concerns in the West Bank, drawing attention to the ongoing hardships faced by Palestinian communities under occupation.
Source: Almayadeen