Israeli police dragged an apparently elderly man on crutches to the ground as he filmed them while Israeli settlers visited the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on Sunday 7 August.

The settlers were there for the Tisha B'Av (Ninth of Av) fasting and memorial day, that marks the destruction of Jewish temples thousands of years ago.

Hundreds of settlers, escorted by Israeli police, performed rituals in the mosque compound's courtyards, according to witnesses.

The tours -- considered provocative by Muslims and others -- have continued during the day.

So-called Temple Mount groups have called for the destruction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, to be replaced by a Jewish temple.

The far-right groups have called on their followers to go to al-Aqsa on Sunday (7 August) to mark the Tisha B’av holiday.

A correspondent for Palestinian news agency WAFA said right-wing Israeli rabbi Yehuda Glick led groups into the holy site at about 7am local time, adding that other groups of settlers were waiting near the Moroccan Gate to be allowed in later.

The settlers were reportedly confronted by a handful of Palestinian Muslim worshipers who held a night vigil inside the compound in an attempt to prevent the settlers from entering.

Reports say two Palestinians were arrested at one of the gates leading to the compound.

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: Jerusalem - 7 August 2022. Israeli settlers visit the al-Aqsa mosques compound in Jerusalem during the annual Tisha B'Av (Ninth of Av) fasting and memorial day, commemorating the destruction of ancient Jewish temples

STORYLINE:

Hundreds of Israeli settlers escorted by Israeli police broke today into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem and performed rituals across its courtyards, according to witnesses. The provocative tours are still going on until this moment.

This comes amid calls by so-called Temple Mount groups, who seek to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque and replace it with a Jewish temple, on their followers to be present at the Muslim holy place today to mark the Tisha B’av holiday, a day of fasting marking the alleged destruction of the two Jewish temples more than two thousand years ago.

WAFA correspondent said groups of Israeli settlers led by extremist Israeli rabbi Yehuda Glick entered the holy site in groups starting at about 7:00 am, noting that other groups of settlers are still waiting near the Moroccan Gate to be allowed gradually into the holy site.

The settlers were reportedly confronted by a handful of Palestinian Muslim worshipers who held a night vigil inside the compound in an attempt to foil the Israeli raids into the holy site.

Earlier today, Israeli occupation forces arrested two Palestinians at one of the gates leading to the compound. The two were not yet identified.

Footage by /APA