Ten Palestinians evicted from Jerusalem as settlers storm al-Aqsa

Dozens of extremist Israeli settlers staged a provocative march in the Old City of Jerusalem on Sunday night, under full protection of Israeli forces, Arab 48 reported.

As a result of the march, a total ten Palestinians were forcibly removed from their homes in the Old City and the al-Aqsa compound.

Israeli forces also closed off several streets and erected metal barriers in the Old City to ensure the full safety of the settlers.

Witnesses reported that the settlers formed singing and dancing circles and performed religious rituals using a loudspeaker in el-Ghazali Square on Temple Mount, outside the al-Aqsa Mosque.

It was also reported that two Israeli settlers vandalised a grave in the historic Bab al-Rahma Islamic cemetery next to the al-Aqsa compound in the early hours of Monday.

The graveyard is a common target of anti-Palestinian violence and vandalism, as settlers and hardline Israelis want to stop Muslims being buried in the cemetery located in close proximity to the Old City.

Palestinian Jerusalemites are routinely harassed, arrested and persecuted by Israeli authorities in and around the Old City. 

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The Jerusalem residence permits of three Palestinians were revoked in the past week and they were forced to leave the flashpoint village of Issawiya.

Palestinians near al-Aqsa Mosque are also the target of strict controls and often forcibly removed by Israeli forces.

Israeli settlers on the other hand routinely storm the al-Aqsa compound at night and prevent Muslims from praying, often in groups of more than 100 and under full protection of the Israeli military.

Violence flared in the al-Aqsa compound last year after Israeli authorities installed metal detectors at the entrance to the compound following the fatal shooting of two security guards.