Scores of Zionist settlers on Monday stormed occupied East Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound after several Jewish groups called for mass incursions into the religious site

Scores of Zionist settlers on Monday stormed occupied East Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound after several Jewish groups called for mass incursions into the religious site to mark the Jewish Hanukkah holidays, a Palestinian official has said.

"Around 70 Jewish settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa complex through the Al-Magharbeh Gate under Israeli police protection," General Director of Muslim Endowments and Al-Aqsa Affairs Sheikh Azzam al-Khatib stated.

"The settlers wandered around the compound and attempted to perform Talmudic rituals, but Muslim worshipers stood up to them," he said.

Al-Khatib added that Zionist police had detained three Muslim worshippers inside the mosque compound's Al-Asbat Gate.

Since Monday's early hours, Palestinian worshipers have converged inside the compound to demonstrate against repeated incursions by Zionist extremists.

Demonstrators gathered in front of the Al-Magharbeh Gate, through which Zionist settlers frequently force their way into the compound.

Jewish organizations had called on supporters to storm the mosque compound this week to mark the advent of the Jewish Hanukkah holidays, or the "Festival of Lights."