Jerusalem warns of planned 5,000‑settler raid on Al Aqsa during Temple anniversary

Jerusalem’s municipal authorities warned that extremist settler organisations are preparing the largest coordinated entry into the Al Aqsa Mosque compound on Thursday, coinciding with the so‑called “Temple Destruction anniversary”. The groups aim to exceed last year’s record of about 4,000 participants, targeting around 5,000 settlers in a single day. Officials say the plan is supported by senior Israeli politicians, with a Knesset meeting and a “sovereignty march” scheduled to precede the raid. Palestinian factions, including Hamas and the Popular Front, condemned the move as an attempt to alter the holy site’s legal status and called on Muslims to defend the mosque. Israeli police have increased their presence around the Old City and restricted Muslim access to Al Aqsa, while reports indicate that settler numbers in recent raids have already risen to over 1,300.