According to local sources, dozens of police officers stormed the Aqsa Mosque, fired tear gas canisters at the worshipers inside the Qibli building and forced them to leave it.

Later, more police forces stormed the Aqsa Mosque and kidnaped one of the Muslim worshipers.

In a related context, Sheikh Ekrima Sabri, head of the Higher Islamic Council in Occupied Jerusalem, warned that the zionist occupation entity started its frenzied campaign against the Aqsa Mosque in an attempt to empty it of Muslim worshipers.

For his part, Hamas spokesman Mohamed Hamada said that the Palestinian people would defend their right to perform prayers and I’tikaf at the Aqsa Mosque with all means.

Spokesman Hamada condemned the zionist police attack on Muslim worshipers as they were performing I’tikaf at the Mosque during Ramadan as a crime against freedom of worship and part of the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Islamic holy site.

The spokesman urged the Palestinian masses from the West Bank, Jerusalem and 1948 occupied Palestine to march en masse to the Mosque for prayers and I’tikaf and defend it against Israeli violations. (ILKHA)