This is the holiest site for Jews, where the two biblical temples once stood. It is the third holiest site for Muslims, who believe it is where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven.
Located in occupied East Jerusalem, it was captured by Israel from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East war. As it stands, Jordan has been able to continue its historical role as the site’s custodian, while Israel controls security and access.
Palestinians accuse Israel of taking steps to undermine the agreement, and complain that in recent years Jewish visitors have often been seen praying without being stopped by Israeli police.
Video shared on social media on Tuesday showed Israeli Jews singing the national anthem, some holding Israeli flags and others kneeling in prayer at the edge of the holy site.
Itamar Ben Gvir, who visited the complex under Israeli police escort, said “great progress” had been made in Israel's “governance and sovereignty.” “Our policy is to enable Jewish prayer,” he continued.
He also declared that Israel must “win the war” in Gaza and should not intervene in ceasefire and hostage negotiations to “bring Hamas to its knees.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office later said the incident was a “departure from the status quo.”
“Israel’s policy toward the Temple Mount has not changed. That has been the case and that will continue to be the case,” he stressed.
Commenting on the statement, Mr Ben-Gvir said: “It is my policy to guarantee freedom of religion to Jews everywhere.”
He added, “There is no law that permits racial discrimination against Jews on the Temple Mount or anywhere else in Israel.”
However, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry expressed grave concern over the escalating dangerous situation caused by the raid by extremist settlers on the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“The ministry will continue its political efforts to address these provocations at various levels and warn of the serious consequences they will have on the conflict grounds and in the region as a whole,” the statement said.
The Waqf, the Jordan Islamic Fund that manages the site, said more than 2,000 Israelis had entered the site and called on Muslims around the world to help maintain the site.
Jordan's Foreign Ministry said the incident reflected “the stubbornness of the Israeli government and extremists in their disregard for international law and Israel's obligations as an occupying power.”
Egypt and Saudi Arabia also said the incident violated international law, adding that Egypt was trying to thwart Mr Ben-Gvir's attempts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza.
UN spokesman Farhan Haq called the incident “unhelpful and overly provocative”, adding: “We oppose any efforts to change the status quo within the holy site.”
“This unilateral action that undermines the status quo is unacceptable,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters. “Not only is it unacceptable, it’s disruptive at a critical time as we work to finalize this ceasefire agreement.”
