Jerusalem: Hundreds of Israeli occupiers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem under heavy police protection on Wednesday as tensions continue to boil across the occupied West Bank, Palestinian authorities said.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem, which oversees the mosque, reported that 508 occupiers forced their way into the site during the morning period. It indicated that more occupants are expected to raid the compound after the noon prayers. Some occupiers wore shirts bearing the Israeli flag, with a group raising the flag while exiting through Chain Gate, one of the mosque's entrances.

The Jerusalem Governorate noted that the occupiers moved through the compound's courtyards and conducted religious rituals, including 'epic prostration,' near Bab al-Rahma gate and the Dome of the Rock mosque inside the complex. Groups linked to the Temple movement circulated calls encouraging more occupants to storm the site and raise Israeli flags within its courtyards, as stated by the governorate and reported by the official news agency Wafa.

The incursion happened while Israeli police continued to impose restrictions across East Jerusalem by setting up checkpoints, closing roads, and limiting mosque access for worshippers. Since early April, such incursions have intensified, with Israeli occupants performing public rituals inside the compound.

Last week, Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the compound and performed Talmudic rituals alongside occupants. This marked his third such incursion of the year and the 16th since assuming office in late 2022. Al-Aqsa Mosque is revered as the world's third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews refer to the area as Temple Mount, asserting it was the site of two ancient Jewish temples.

Since 2003, Israeli police have allowed occupiers to enter the mosque daily during two periods-morning and afternoon prayers-except on Fridays and Saturdays. Palestinians argue that Israel is intensifying efforts to Judaize East Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa Mosque, and erase its Arab and Islamic identity. They regard East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, based on international resolutions that do not recognize Israel's occupation of the city in 1967 or its annexation in 1980.