AL AQSSA MASJED TODAY 25/3

JERUSALEM -- A group of settlers entered the Al-Aqsa massjed compound today and performed religious rituals under heavy Israeli guard,

Settlers accompanied by dozens of Israeli security forces entered the holy site early today,

Israeli forces prevented Palestinian students from entering the area while settlers prayed at the site.

The Al-Aqsa compound, containing the massjed and the Dome of the Rock, is the third holiest site in Islam and abuts the site where Jews believe the ancient Second Temple stood.