Key Points:
- Israeli forces imposed restrictions, limiting Palestinian access to the holy site.
- Four Palestinians were injured during raids in Nablus by Israeli forces.
JERUSALEM: On the fourth day of the Jewish Hanukkah holiday, over 600 Israeli settlers entered the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, prompting tensions and raising concerns over restricted Palestinian access to the holy site.
According to the Palestinian Authority-affiliated Jerusalem Governorate, settlers conducted provocative tours of the compound in groups, performing Talmudic rituals under the supervision of Israeli forces, Wafa news agency reported. Authorities described the coordinated entry as part of a recurring pattern during Jewish holidays, which often leads to heightened friction.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces conducted raids in the northern West Bank, particularly in the city of Nablus. During the operations, four Palestinians sustained injuries, including a gunshot to the chest, a knee injury, a shrapnel wound, and fragments lodged in the head, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
The raids targeted the Aqaba neighborhood in Nablus and nearby areas, including Ras Al-Ain, Khan Al-Tikar, and Al-Shuhada. Confrontations broke out between Israeli forces and local residents, during which live ammunition and tear gas were reportedly used. These operations underscore ongoing tensions and repeated clashes between Israeli settlers, security forces, and Palestinian residents in the region.
