Israeli police stood guard as Israeli settlers visited the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem for Tisha B'Av (Ninth of Av) memorial day.

The annual fasting day commemorates the destruction of Jewish temples thousands of years ago. But their presence, and particularly that of settlers who believe the mosque should be destroyed, is seen as provocative by Muslims and others.

Witnesses said that hundreds of settlers, escorted by Israeli police, visited the site and performed rituals in the compound's courtyards.

So-called Temple Mount groups, who seek to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque and replace it with a Jewish temple, had called on followers to visit the holy site for the Tisha B’av holiday.

A correspondent for the WAFA Palestinian news agency said groups of settlers led by hardline rabbi Yehuda Glick entered the holy site in groups starting at about 7am local time, with other groups waiting to enter later in the day.

The settlers were reportedly confronted by a handful of Palestinian Muslims who held a night vigil inside the compound in an attempt to foil what they saw as an invasion of the holy site.

Two Palestinians were reportedly arrested during the police action to allow the visits.

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