By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Authorities in Occupied Jerusalem have warned of what they called a growing and organised escalation at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, pointing to increased activity by Israeli settler groups in recent weeks.

In a statement, the Jerusalem Governorate said there were ongoing attempts to impose new realities at the holy site through repeated incursions and efforts to introduce ritual practices not previously allowed there.

The authority said one of the major concerns was attempts to bring animal sacrifices into the mosque compound or nearby areas during the Passover period. It said such actions could further inflame tensions around one of Islam’s holiest sites.

According to the statement, eight separate attempts to bring sacrificial animals to the mosque or its surroundings have been recorded since the start of this year. It added that this is the highest number documented since 1967.

Officials said in three of those incidents, individuals managed to reach entrances close to the compound before they were stopped.

The Jerusalem Governorate also warned of two upcoming dates in May that could witness further escalation. The first is May 15, marked by Israelis as Jerusalem Day, which commemorates Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem in 1967.

The second is May 22, which coincides with the Jewish festival of Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks.

Authorities said such occasions are often accompanied by increased visits to the site and attempts to bring in ritual items, including plant and animal offerings.

The warning comes amid continued sensitivity over Al-Aqsa Mosque, where any change in the status quo often sparks wider tensions across the region.

Source: The Peninsula