Occupied Jerusalem, Ramallah, Feb 16 (Petra) – Israeli extremists and settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound/ Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) in occupied Jerusalem on Monday and performed prayers in the latest provocation against guards and worshippers.

The Islamic Waqf (endowment) Department, the custodian of the complex, said dozens of hardliners, escorted by Israeli police, broke into the plaza from the Bab Al Magharebah Gate, toured courtyards and performed prayers.

The settlers were preached about the alleged "Temple", and performed Talmudic rituals at the Bab al-Rahma Gate, east of the compound, it said.

In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided and searched homes and arrested 35 "wanted" people, particularly in Nablus, north of the West Bank, the Palestinian Prisoners Club said.

The occupation army also served stop-work orders for 15 "unlicensed" homes under construction in the town of Tuqu'a, southeast of Bethlehem, according to head of the local council Tayseer Abu Mufleh.

In Khirbet Samra in the northern Jordan Valley of the West Bank, Jewish settlers began bulldozing privately-owned Palestinian land, but no reason was given, head of the local council Mahdi Daraghmeh said.

//Petra//SS