The Israeli police raided the offices of the Al-Aqsa institution early on August 24, and confiscated documents and certain assets in an effort to eradicate historical records of Palestine and exert pressure on the Palestinians.     

Speaking about the raid, Sheikh Raid Salah, head of the Islamic Movement's northern branch, said "The documents confiscated are worth billions of dollars. The Israeli police also confiscated institution's computers and other valuable assets. They even damaged walls and flooring."   

The Israeli troops first blocked the roads in the area where the institution is located and then raided the institution with hundreds of special troops, the Palestinian Sama News Agency reported.   

The confiscated documents include plans and projects for the repair of the Masjid al-Aqsa and certain Jerusalem quarters as well as historical records about Islamic and Christian foundations. Furthermore, verbal and written accounts of aged people who witnessed pre-1948 events and pictures dating back to those years were among the confiscated documents.  

According to Ali Abu Sheikha, head of the al-Aqsa institution, the raid was a reaction to the revelation of a plan on August 12 to build a synagogue in a Jerusalem neighborhood. Sheikha said that deeds of certain Muslim and Christian foundations were among the confiscated documents. Al-Aqsa cannot be associated with Hamas or any other movements, Sheikha said, adding "Jerusalem and its assets belong to Muslims. Jews own not even an acre of Jerusalem. We will fight any kind of terror operations carried out against Muslims."