Over 196 settlers, including students of institutes and intelligence officers, reportedly entered the Mosque through al-Maghariba Gate and toured its courtyards in groups.

Meanwhile, video footage circulated on the internet today showed a group of settlers performing provocative dances at the Mosque’s Silsila Gate.

A horde of settlers also tried, for the second time running, to bring a Jewish candelabrum (menorah) into the Islamic holy site to mark a religious occasion.

Yesterday after some settlers were prevented by Aqsa guards from carrying a candelabrum into the holy site, they provocatively placed a large candlestick at the Mosque’s Asbat Gate.

During today’s morning tours, police officers assaulted the chief of the Aqsa guards and threatened to arrest him for objecting to changing the usual tour routes for Jewish settlers at the Mosque.