Israeli Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Compound During Sukkot as Palestinian Access Restricted

Hundreds of Israeli settlers, religious nationalists, and at least one former parliamentarian entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Wednesday, according to Palestinian officials, marking the fifth consecutive day of such incursions during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Department, which administers the site, reported that approximately 700 Israelis entered the compound under the protection of Israeli police forces. Among them was Moshe Feiglin, a former member of the Knesset known for his advocacy of expanded Jewish prayer rights at the sensitive location.

Witnesses and Palestinian media reported that the visitors performed religious rituals and sang while moving through the mosque's courtyards, actions that critics say violate the long-standing arrangement governing the site. The Wafa news agency, citing the Jerusalem governorate, reported that Israeli authorities simultaneously maintained tight restrictions on Palestinian Muslim entry.

The compound, known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif, or the Noble Sanctuary, and to Jews as the Temple Mount, is one of the most politically and religiously sensitive sites in the Middle East. It is the third holiest site in Islam and the holiest site in Judaism, a dual significance that has made it a recurring flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Under the historical status quo arrangement, the Islamic Waqf department holds exclusive responsibility for administering the compound as a place of worship for Muslims. Jewish visitation has traditionally been permitted during limited hours, but Jewish prayer at the site has been widely considered a violation of the understanding that has governed access for decades.

Wednesday's incursion follows an even larger event on Tuesday, when 966 Israelis entered the compound through the Moroccan Gate alongside Israeli police, performing Talmudic rituals and singing collectively in the courtyards, according to the Wafa report. The scale of that day's entry made it one of the largest such gatherings in recent memory.

The Jerusalem governorate also reported that Israeli authorities closed the road leading to the Lions' Gate area, as well as the entrance to al-Turba Road leading toward the town of Silwan. Officials said the closures were implemented to facilitate Israeli access to the Western Wall, which sits below the compound and is a focal point of Jewish pilgrimage.

The timing of the incursions is tied to the Jewish holiday season, which began with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, on September 12 and 13. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, followed on September 21 and 22, and Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, commenced on September 26 and runs through October 2.

Simchat Torah, which marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, is scheduled for October 3, raising concerns among Palestinian officials and observers that further large-scale entries could occur in the coming days. Israeli raids at the compound have intensified throughout this holiday period, according to Palestinian sources.

The repeated incursions have drawn attention to the broader question of the status quo at the site, which has been a central issue in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and a frequent source of regional tension. Changes to the arrangement, whether perceived or actual, have historically triggered widespread unrest.

For Palestinians, the storming of the compound by Israeli settlers and religious nationalists represents both a religious affront and a political provocation. Many view such actions as part of a broader effort to alter the character of the site and assert Israeli sovereignty over an area that is central to Palestinian identity in Jerusalem.

Israeli officials have generally described police-protected visits by Jews to the compound as exercises of freedom of movement and religious expression, while maintaining that the status quo remains in place. Critics, including Palestinian leaders and international observers, argue that the scale and nature of these visits, particularly when accompanied by ritual and singing, contradict that claim.

The presence of former lawmaker Moshe Feiglin, a prominent advocate for Jewish prayer at the site, underscored the political dimensions of the event. Feiglin has long campaigned for expanded Jewish access and has been a controversial figure in debates over the compound's future.

The continued restrictions on Palestinian Muslim entry during the holiday period have compounded tensions. Palestinian worshippers, particularly men and younger individuals, often face age-based and security-related limitations on accessing the site, which Palestinian officials characterize as collective punishment.

The Jerusalem governorate's decision to document and publicize the numbers of Israeli entrants reflects an ongoing effort by Palestinian authorities to draw international attention to developments at the compound. These reports serve as a counterweight to Israeli accounts, which typically emphasize security concerns and the protection of visitors.

The closure of roads around the Lions' Gate and al-Turba Road also affected daily life for Palestinian residents of nearby neighborhoods, including Silwan. Such measures often disrupt commerce, transportation, and access to homes, adding to the friction between local communities and Israeli authorities.

International stakeholders, including the United Nations and various governments, have repeatedly warned that unilateral actions at the Al-Aqsa compound risk escalating tensions. The site's status is considered a final-status issue in any future peace agreement, alongside Jerusalem's broader political future.

The events of the past week illustrate how religious holidays can amplify political tensions in Jerusalem. With Simchat Torah approaching, Palestinian officials and observers are bracing for the possibility of further incursions, while Israeli authorities have given no indication that access restrictions will be eased for Muslim worshippers.

For now, the compound remains a focal point of a conflict that blends religion, nationalism, and sovereignty claims. Each holiday season brings renewed scrutiny to the site, and the latest numbers reported by the Waqf department suggest that this year's Sukkot has been particularly intense, with hundreds entering daily under police escort while Palestinian access remains tightly controlled.