NNA - A large Israeli police force this morning broke into the Muslim holy place, Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City in order to remove Muslim worshippers and provide a safe ground for Jewish fanatics seeking to change the decades-old status quo at the holy site and to roam the area freely as they mark the Jewish New Year amidst warning by Palestinian officials of serious repercussions if the status quo at the Mosque is touched.

Officials at the Islamic Waqf, which oversees the affairs of Al-Aqsa Mosque, said police broke into the courtyards of the walled holy site, attacked Muslim worshippers who were there to perform the dawn prayers and forced them to leave the area as Jewish fanatics gathered outside the Magharbe Gate in preparation for entering the Muslim holy place under police protection.

Police stationed at the eight gates leading into the Al-Aqsa compound also prevented Muslims under the age of 40 and students attempting to reach their schools located within the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque from entering it as groups of Jewish fanatics roamed around the holy place provoking Muslim sentiments with their illegal performance of Jewish rituals.

Jewish fanatic groups have called on their followers to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque today and for the next few weeks as they mark Jewish holidays in an effort to change the status quo at the Mosque that bans non-Muslims from praying or performing any rituals within the walled compound, considered the third holiest site in Islam after Makkah and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Palestinian and Muslim officials have called on the faithful to be present at the holy place at all times to prevent the right-wing Israeli government and Jewish fanatics from imposing their will on the Mosque area and dividing it between Muslims and Jews or simply turning it into a Jewish worship area after destroying the Muslim shrines.

They also warned of serious repercussions and a strong reaction from the Palestinians if the status quo is changed.

Israel, over the last few days, banned more than 100 Palestinians from either being at Al-Aqsa Mosque or even in Jerusalem in order to facilitate the storming of the holy compound by the Jewish fanatics.

Tension however remains high in the holy city with Israel bringing reinforcements into the occupied city and calling on the Israeli public to carry weapons at all times as they celebrate the Jewish holidays. ----WAFA

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