Thousands of Israeli extremists storm Al-Aqsa as violent raids carried out across West Bank

Thousands of Israeli extremists stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Thursday during the Passover holiday, while Israeli forces carried out several violent raids and arrests across the occupied West Bank.

Many of the extremists performed Jewish rituals at the mosque, which is the third most sacred site in Islam.

They were accompanied by far-right Israeli Knesset member Zvi Sukkot, despite Jerusalem’s status quo arrangements stating that non-Muslims are forbidden from worshipping there.

"I’m happy to see that also Zvi Sukkot MK, like many thousands, is prostrating himself and praying at the Temple Mount," extremist national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said, using an Israeli term for the site of Al-Aqsa mosque.

The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the storming, calling it a "dangerous and unacceptable escalation" and a "provocation."

The ministry’s official spokesperson, Sufian Qudah, reiterated Jordan’s absolute rejection and strong condemnation of the repeated incursions.

Prior to the incursion, Israeli police imposed strict security measures on the areas surrounding the holy site, preventing many Muslims from entering and confiscating the ID cards of local Palestinians.

Raids in the West Bank

Meanwhile, Israeli forces launched a widespread crackdown on Palestinians across the occupied West Bank, making several arrests in the town of Tammun, south of Tubas.

Israeli forces further closed the main streets of the town of as-Samu, south of Hebron, and also stormed the village of Beit Ummar, north of the city.

Soon after, Israeli forces dispersed a protest against the seizing of Palestinian land in the town of Adh Dhahiriya, south of Hebron, with local forces reporting that the army prevented Palestinians from reaching their homes.

A young Palestinian man was also arrested during a raid on the town of Qabatiya, south of Jenin.

In a town west of Tulkarem, Israeli forces ordered a Palestinian family to leave their home before raiding it, the official Wafa news agency said.

The town's mayor told the news agency that the Abu al-Ezz family was given only 30 minutes to leave without providing any justification.

Members of the Abu al-Ezz family were also ordered out of seven other properties.

The arrests and raids come as Palestinians mark Palestinian Prisoners’ Day, commemorating the plight of those held in Israeli jails.

There are nearly 10,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails, according to the rights group Addameer. The figure includes around 400 children and over 3,000 held without charge or trial.