Israelis storm Al-Aqsa Mosque

Scores of Israeli ultra-nationalists, including settlers, stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday morning as the Israeli military onslaught on Gaza entered its third day.

Protected by heavily armed Israeli forces, the storming began at around 7am local time and continued for three hours, as Israelis marked the Jewish holiday of Tisha B'av. 

Organised by far-right groups that call for the destruction of Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam, another round of storming is planned between 1:30pm and 2:30pm. 

During the tours in the courtyards of the mosque, settlers performed religious prayers and raised the Israeli flag, in contravention of long-standing agreements on the site. 

According to local Palestinian media, at least 1,000 Israeli had stormed the site in the morning.

Small groups of Muslim worshippers who were inside the mosque during the raids were assaulted by Israeli forces. 

Outside the mosque, located in Jerusalem's ancient Old City, skirmishes occurred between Israeli ultra-nationalists and Palestinian residents. 

 Some Israeli activists were seen chanting anti-Muslim slogans, such as "Mohammed is Dead," referring to Islam's prophet. 

Translation: Settlers insult Prophet Mohammed and raise the occupation flag on Bab al-Silsila Road