On Tuesday, a contingent of Israeli settlers entered the Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem, prompting a swift response from Israeli police. The incursion, reported by Al Jazeera, occurred in the early afternoon and was described by authorities as an attempt to assert claims over the contested religious site.
Police units deployed riot control equipment and moved to disperse the settlers, who had gathered near the compound's entrance. Confrontations ensued, resulting in the detention of several participants and a number of injuries among both the settlers and police officers. Medical services were called to the scene, and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The incident follows a series of recent confrontations at religious locations in East Jerusalem, where Israeli settlement activity and Palestinian worship have increasingly overlapped. Israeli officials emphasized that the police action aimed to maintain public order and protect the status quo governing access to the holy site. They also warned that any further attempts to breach the compound could lead to additional arrests.
Palestinian representatives condemned the settlers' entry, characterising it as a deliberate provocation that threatens the fragile peace in the city. They called for an international response to safeguard the rights of worshippers and to prevent further escalations. The Palestinian Authority reiterated its demand for the enforcement of existing agreements that guarantee freedom of worship for Muslims at Al‑Aqsa.
The Israeli government, while acknowledging the police intervention, reiterated its position that the security forces act within the law to prevent violence. It also noted that the settlement movement has been encouraged by recent policy shifts that expand settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, contributing to a volatile environment.
Human rights organisations monitoring the situation have urged both sides to refrain from actions that could inflame tensions. They highlighted the need for transparent investigations into any alleged misconduct by security forces and called for the protection of civilian access to religious sites.
The episode underscores the ongoing volatility surrounding Jerusalem's holy places, where competing narratives and claims continue to fuel friction. As diplomatic efforts to address the broader Israeli‑Palestinian conflict remain stalled, incidents such as the Al‑Aqsa breach are likely to persist, keeping the city at the centre of regional and international scrutiny.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Al Jazeera — All News — original source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/20/israeli-settlers-storm-al-aqsa-in-latest-targeting-of-east-jerusalem-sites?traffic_source=rss.