Jerusalem: A total of 448 Israeli occupiers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday, the first day of its reopening after being closed since Feb. 28.

According to Anadolu Agency, an official from the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem, who requested anonymity, reported that the occupiers entered the mosque compound during the morning period and after the noon prayer. Eyewitnesses observed that the occupiers entered through Bab al-Magharibah on the western side of the compound, escorted heavily by Israeli police.

The witnesses further noted that the incursions were marred by violations, including loud singing, dancing, and performing prayers. Israeli police had initially closed the mosque's gates on Feb. 28, citing the need to prevent gatherings during wartime with Iran, following army instructions.

Since the closure, access to the site had been limited to mosque guards and select employees of the Islamic Waqf Department. The compound reopened at dawn on Thursday, with hundreds of Muslim worshippers returning to perform their prayers.

Witnesses also reported that Israeli police detained three Muslim worshippers from inside the compound without providing reasons. The closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque on Feb. 28 coincided with Israel's attacks on Iran, which restricted access to only mosque staff and officials from the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, while other Palestinians worshipped in smaller mosques across the city.

Moreover, authorities prevented Eid al-Fitr prayers from being held at the site this year, marking an unprecedented restriction since Israel's occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967. During the same period, Israeli authorities also closed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity's holiest sites in Jerusalem.