News - Middle East: Thousands of Palestinians worshipers reached al-Aqsa Mosque early morning on Friday in occupied East al-Quds and performed Friday dawn prayer in its courtyards amid strict Israeli measures and following attacks by illegal Israeli settlers the night before.

Palestinians started to flock from the different surrounding cities since early dawn hours to make sure they make it on time to the congregation. Israeli occupation police and strict checkpoints were deployed in the streets of al-Quds in an attempt to hamper their arrival to the holy site, according to Quds Press. Nevertheless, several thousands of them managed to reach the mosque.

Meanwhile, dozens of Israeli settlers stormed the complex on Thursday, local sources said. The illegal settlers forced their way into the holy site through the Bab al-Maghariba under tight protection of several groups of Israeli soldiers and special police forces, and carried out provocative acts in order to infuriate Palestinians.

Illegal settler incursions under police protection to the al-Aqsa mosque have been on the rise, which has led to daily confrontations with Palestinians at the mosque, with many injured, arrested and killed. Palestinians have said that their continued presence at al-Aqsa, a holy place of Worshiping for Muslims, is imperative.