Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque on Wednesday morning under heavy protection from Israeli forces. Hamas condemned the move, calling it a “deliberate provocative step.”

According to Wafa Agency, settlers led by Ben Gvir entered the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Moroccan Gate, conducted “provocative tours,” and performed Talmudic rituals coinciding with the second day of the Hebrew Feast of Tabernacles.

The settlers carried plant-based offerings in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem as part of their religious rituals to celebrate the Hebrew Feast of Tabernacles.

The Palestinian News Agency reported that “the occupation authorities exploit Jewish holidays to escalate tensions in Jerusalem by justifying the incursions, closing the entrances of the holy city, isolating it from its surroundings, turning it into a military barracks, preventing our people from entering, suppressing worshippers and those stationed there, attacking them, and providing full protection to settlers to violate the site, perform their Talmudic rituals, and impose their presence inside the mosque.”

Israel also imposed strict measures around and at the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque and deployed extensive reinforcements of its forces and police to secure the settlers’ incursions.

This comes amid indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh to agree on the release of hostages, as part of a U.S. proposal to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

Ben Gvir has previously entered the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque multiple times, sometimes accompanied by settlers. His visits have been met with condemnation from Palestinians and Arab countries, especially since the minister is known for his extremist positions and provocative steps, violating the status quo by praying in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first Qibla and the third holiest site for Muslims.