According to local sources, police officers used chains to close the Qibli building’s doors, locking dozens of Muslim worshipers inside.

Soon later, settlers started to enter the Mosque in groups through its Maghariba Gate and tour its courtyards under police escort.

Some of the settlers reportedly performed Talmudic prayers in the eastern area of the Mosque.

Meanwhile, different groups of Palestinian citizens embarked on performing the Duha (forenoon) prayer in the Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards and plateaus, while others chanted protest and religious slogans as settlers were touring the holy site.

Extremist Jewish groups recently incited their followers to march en masse to the Aqsa Mosque and perform prayers in its courtyards on Sunday and Monday to mark what they called the Shavuot festival. (ILKHA)