Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jewish holiday

Occupying Israeli forces escorted hundreds of settlers as they raided Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem to take part in tours that Palestinians say are provocative.

Groups of Israeli settlers led by far-right rabbi Yehuda Glick entered the Al-Aqsa at around 7am local time, according to Palestinian Authority's news agency Wafa. Other groups of settlers were waiting outside the Maghrebi Gate to be let in for the incursion.

They were confronted by a number of Palestinian Muslim worshipers who knew of the raid and decided to stay at Al-Aqsa overnight to stop it from taking place.

The raids take place by far-right Israeli groups who say they wish to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque and replace it with a Jewish temple. Their Sunday raid marks the Tisha B’av holiday, a day of fasting and commemorating the alleged destruction of the two Jewish temples more than two thousand years ago.

Earlier on Sunday, occupying Israeli forces arrested two Palestinians at one of the gates leading to Al-Aqsa compound. The two were not yet identified.

Al Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam while the Dome of the Rock is revered by Muslims worldwide as the location from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.