Right-wing Israeli groups on Sunday raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under the protection of Israeli forces, witnesses told Ma’an. Witnesses said 43 Israeli settlers raided the compound after right-wing Jewish extremist groups called for supporters to flock to the site before the start of the Jewish holiday Hannukah.

In addition to allowing settlers to raid the compound, Israeli forces continued to prevent entrance to worshippers on a “black list,” comprised mostly of Palestinian women and youth who have been banned from the compound for the last three months, witnesses said. Israeli forces previously stated that those banned from entering the compound were “troublemakers” and were being disallowed entry in order to better keep peace at the site.

On Sunday, the women who were prevented entry told Ma’an that they object to being banned from worshipping at the site, adding that the the right-wing Israelis touring the site were the ones causing trouble. Israeli forces also detained a Palestinian man from the All-Aqsa Mosque compound and another four Palestinians from the surrounding Old City, following home raids. MAAN