A record-breaking 54,231 Jews have ascended the Temple Mount since the start of the year, including 7,500 during the past Hebrew month of Av, the Temple Mount Administration NGO announced on Monday.

According to the advocacy organization, over 950 Jewish worshippers entered Judaism’s holiest site on Sunday and Monday, which marked Rosh Chodesh Elul, or the start of the Hebrew month of Elul.

The 7,500-plus visits during the month of Av, which precedes Elul, marked a 15% rise compared to the same period last year, it said.

Under the leadership of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Temple Mount has seen a surge in visits by Jews, especially on important religious holidays such as Tisha B’Av , the national Jewish day of mourning that was this year marked on Aug. 2-3.

See Full Page