Jerusalem: Hundreds of illegal Israeli settlers forced their way into the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem on Tuesday, marking the third day of the Jewish religious holiday of Passover, a Palestinian official said.

According to Anadolu Agency, the official with the Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem reported that at least 1,220 illegal settlers entered the flashpoint site under the protection of Israeli police since morning. Witnesses confirmed that the settlers entered through the Al-Mugharbah Gate area, located west of the holy mosque.

Around 1,149 illegal settlers broke into the complex on Monday, and 494 others on Sunday, as part of the week-long holiday observance. Passover, commemorating the Israelites' exodus from Egypt during the time of Prophet Moses, is one of the most significant holidays on the Jewish religious calendar.

The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs stated that illegal settlers raided the mosque 21 times last month, coinciding with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Figures from the Jerusalem governor indicated that 13,064 illegal settlers stormed the mosque in the first quarter of 2025.

Since 2003, Israel has permitted illegal settlers to enter the flashpoint compound almost daily, excluding Fridays and Saturdays. Al-Aqsa Mosque, revered as the world's third-holiest site for Muslims, is referred to by Jews as the "Temple Mount," believed to be the location of two ancient Jewish temples.

Israel took control of East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is situated, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and annexed the entire city in 1980, a move not recognized by the international community.