Temple Mount
Temple MountFlash 90

The Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday sentenced 35-year-old Nihad Zahir, a leader of the al-Shabab al-Aqsa organization, to a 35 months in prison for membership in a banned organization.

The Israeli government banned al-Shabab al-Aqsa in 2011 over the organization's ties to the Hamas terrorist organization.

Al-Shabaab Al-Aqsa's operatives have been instrumental in instigating violent incidents on the Temple Mount in recent years, including clashes with security forces and attacks on visitors. The organization also carries out social activities in addition to committing acts of violence.

In October 2016, a policeman and a civilian were killed in a shooting attack carried out by one of the organization's leaders, Mesbah Abu Sabih, near Ammunition Hill.

In June, 2017, police arrested five members of al-Shabaab Al-Aqsa who were involved in an attempt to carry out violent attacks against security forces and visitors to the Temple Mount.