Beirut: Officials in Occupied Jerusalem have warned of what they describe as a "serious and systematic escalation" at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, citing increased activity by settler groups in recent weeks.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Jerusalem Governorate issued a statement highlighting attempts to impose new realities in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. These efforts reportedly include bringing in "animal sacrifices" and an increase in incursions during religious and political occasions.
The statement further noted that there have been eight documented attempts this year to bring sacrificial animals to the mosque or its surroundings during the Passover period. This number is described as the highest recorded since 1967. In three instances, individuals managed to reach entrances near the site before being stopped.
The authority also warned of potential further escalation on two upcoming dates in May. These include May 15, marking "Jerusalem Day," which commemorates Israel's capture of East Jerusalem in 1967, and May 22, coinciding with the Jewish festival of Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks. Such occasions are often accompanied by increased visits to the site and efforts to introduce ritual items, including plant and animal offerings.