LOC16:38
13:38 GMT
GAZA, Dec 18 (KUNA) -- Israeli occupation forces escalated their aggression across several Palestinian areas on Thursday, carrying out home demolitions and arrests, as settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem under heavy security protection.
A statement by the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) said Israeli occupation forces demolished a house in the town of Ara in the northern Triangle region of the 1948 territories on Thursday, under the pretext of building without a permit.
This comes amid a noticeable increase in demolition orders and fines in the area.
Moreover, the occupation forced a resident of Ara to demolish two houses himself for the second time, after deeming his initial self-demolition insufficient.
Since the beginning of this year, approximately eight residents of Ara have demolished their homes under the pretext of unlicensed construction, amidst repeated demolition orders issued in this regard.
In occupied Jerusalem, colonists stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque on Thursday, under the protection of Israeli occupation forces, and performed provocative prayers.
Eyewitnesses reported that 621 colonists entered the mosque compound in groups, conducted provocative tours of its courtyards, and performed Talmudic rituals under the protection of the occupation forces.
Meanwhile, in the West Bank, Israeli occupation forces stormed Husan town, west of Bethlehem, and arrested 11 citizens without any clear reasons being announced, leading to a state of tension among the residents. (end)
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