Jerusalem: Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed the courtyards of the Al Aqsa Mosque compound on Tuesday under heavy protection from Israeli occupation forces, according to local sources.

According to Qatar News Agency, settlers entered the compound through Al Mughrabi Gate and carried out tours amid a security deployment by Israeli forces. The event is part of a series of measures that have intensified restrictions on access to Al Aqsa, including expulsion orders targeting Jerusalemites and Palestinians from inside Israel. These measures coincide with the approach of the holy month of Ramadan, in an effort to limit the presence of worshippers and guardians at the site.

The Jerusalem Governorate previously reported that 4,397 settlers stormed the Al Aqsa compound during January, in addition to 7,868 others who entered under the guise of tourism.