Extreme-right Israeli minister Ben-Gvir storms Al-Aqsa mosque compound, says Israel 'is in charge here' in latest provocation

Israel's extreme-right security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has stormed Jerusalem’s sacred al-Aqsa mosque compound early on Sunday, The New Arab's Arabic language sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported, citing a source from the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem.

Ben-Gvir was accompanied by 30 members of the Israeli occupation forces and intelligence personnel, the report said.

The incursion lasted for about 15 minutes, during which the far-right minister stopped at the eastern areas of the mosque's compound, near the Bab al-Rahma prayer area, before leaving in a hurry.

"We are in charge here," Israeli media reported him as saying during the incursion. He praised the Israeli occupation forces, saying they were "proving who's in charge in Jerusalem". 

Meanwhile, Israeli settlers stormed the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of Israeli occupation forces.

Jordan's Foreign Ministry issued a condemnation of the visit, calling it a "provocation," and a "serious violation of international law and the status quo on the Al-Aqsa Mosque."

Ben Gvir's latest incursion into Al-Aqsa came amid days after the so-called "flag march" saw thousands of far-right Israelis march through the Old City carrying Israeli flags, violently chanting "death to Arabs" and vandalising Palestinian properties.

Ben Gvir was one of several Israeli politicians to attend the controversial march.

Sunday marked the second time the far-right minister strormed the compound since taking office.

In January, he stormed the site and declared: "Our government will not yield to Hamas' threats."

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the visit at the time, describing Ben Gvir's "trespassing" on the compound as an "unprecedented provocation".