Worshippers confront settlers at al-Aqsa mosque

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM,- Worshipers in al-Aqsa mosque forced on Tuesday morning dozens of Israeli settlers, including the extremist MK Feiglin, to leave the grounds of Al-Aqsa Mosque, preventing them from continuing their tour of the mosque.

Clashes broke out between the worshipers and the Israeli Special Forces, where the worshipers staged a sit-in at al-Aqsa mosque after expelling the settlers. Some Jerusalemites worshipers were arrested during the clashes.

Israeli sources claimed that Israeli authorities arrested an extremist settler while performing biblical rituals in al-Aqsa mosque violating the rules of behavior in the place and he was taken for security questioning.

One of the mosque's guards told PIC that the Israeli police attacked the worshipers and arrested nearly 17 youths since the early morning hours, including a girl and a mosque's guard, pointing out that the state of tension has prevailed in the mosque since the morning hours with heavy presence of Israeli occupation forces.

Dozens of Israeli Special Forces were deployed around Al-Aqsa Mosque, especially at the entrance to the Mughrabi Gate, where they prevented worshipers under the age of 45 from entering the mosque.

The Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage confirmed, in an urgent statement on Tuesday morning, that IOF arrested 4 reporters, a cameraman, and a woman from Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Meanwhile a group of 30 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque and stayed at the Mughrabi Gate.