The Israeli occupation police on Wednesday morning allowed dozens of Jewish settlers to enter the Aqsa Mosque through al-Maghariba Gate and desecrate its courtyards under security guard. 

According to the Islamic Awqaf Authority in Al-Quds (Jerusalem), the Israeli police, as always, closed al-Maghariba Gate at 10:30 after the settlers completed their morning tours at the Mosque. Later in the afternoon, the same gate is expected to be reopened for evening tours by settlers. 

About 81 Jewish settlers, including 40 university and institute students, defiled the Mosque in groups under police escort.

Meanwhile, the Israeli police persisted in imposing entry restrictions on Muslim worshipers at the entrances leading to the Mosque and seized their IDs until they left the holy site.

The Aqsa Mosque is exposed to daily desecration by Jewish settlers in the morning and the afternoon except on Friday and Saturday.