First day of Ramadan marked by Israeli settlers storming Al-Aqsa compound, attacks across West Bank

Israeli settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque's compound on Wednesday, the first day of Ramadan, as authorities escalated security measures across occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank, deepening Palestinian fears of a broader crackdown during the holy Islamic month.

Groups of Jewish settlers entered the courtyards under heavy Israeli protection, performing Talmudic rituals and "provocative practices" inside the courtyards of the mosque, according to a statement by the Jerusalem Governorate.

The governorate said Israel had extended the daily duration of settler incursions into Al-Aqsa compound by an additional hour throughout Ramadan, warning that the measure could become permanent after the month ends.

It described the move as a dangerous escalation targeting the historic and legal status quo at the mosque and a direct provocation to Muslims in Jerusalem, Palestine and worldwide.

In a further escalation, Israeli police arrested Al-Aqsa Mosque imam Sheikh Mohammed al-Abbasi from inside the mosque's courtyards on Monday evening, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Hamas said al-Abbasi was later served with an order banning him from the mosque in a "blatant interference" in the affairs of Al-Aqsa and an assault on its religious leadership.

Hamas said the arrest forms part of broader Israeli restrictions imposed ahead of Ramadan, including limits on worshippers' access, curbs on preachers and mosque officials, and intensified settler incursions under police protection.

The group said Israel was attempting to "control and Judaize" the mosque and impose temporal and spatial division within the compound.

Israeli authorities have also declared a wide-scale security alert in Jerusalem and across the West Bank under what they alleged to be "preventive operations".

Israeli media reported that thousands of police and border guards would be deployed across Jerusalem, particularly around the Old City gates and the Al-Aqsa compound, with preparations simulating what officials called "the most extreme scenarios".

Restrictions have been imposed on Palestinian worshippers travelling from the West Bank to Jerusalem, particularly on Fridays, with age and permit limitations expected to affect tens of thousands seeking to pray at Al-Aqsa.

Israeli forces have also intensified arrests across the West Bank on allegations of incitement, expanded surveillance of social media, and reinforced military deployments along the separation wall and in what they call "friction zones".

Palestinian officials say such measures deliberately create an atmosphere of tension at the start of Ramadan, particularly as the war on Gaza continues, and regional tensions remain high.

Settler attacks continue across the West Bank

Elsewhere in occupied East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities forced the family of Ahmad Khader Nimr to demolish their own home in Sur Baher on the first day of Ramadan, according to a statement from the Jerusalem Governorate.

Israeli forces detained a shepherd while he was grazing his livestock close to his tent in the al-Hamma area of the northern Jordan Valley, according to the head of the Al-Baydar human rights organisation, Hasan Melihat.

Settlers, often under Israeli military protection, continued violent attacks on Palestinian communities across the West Bank. In the Hebron area, settlers stormed the Bedouin community of Jabal al-Baba east of al-Eizariya, causing fear among residents.

In communities between Rammun and Deir Dibwan east of Ramallah, settlers stole around 30 sheep, vandalised homes, and injured residents, including women and children.

Local sources said settlers abducted a young man, identified as Rashid Fayez Arara, from the village of Rammun before handing him over to Israeli forces, and stole livestock belonging to Saeed Arara.

Melihat said ten Bedouin families were forced to leave the al-Sawwana community south of Hebron due to sustained settler harassment, threats and denial of access to land and grazing areas.

Israeli forces also carried out raids and arrests across the West Bank and demolished an inhabited residential building belonging to the Salhab family near the Hagai settlement south of Hebron.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that a young man was shot near Qalandiya checkpoint north of Jerusalem, while another was wounded during a raid on Dura south of Hebron.

In Jerusalem, a Palestinian child, Walid Jibril Matar, was hit with rubber-coated bullets during an Israeli raid on Anata and Shuafat refugee camp.

In the village of al-Rashaida east of Bethlehem, settlers shot and injured Salama Mohammad Rashaida in the foot while grazing sheep on village lands, while his son Ayoub was assaulted and left with bruises.