- Several people were injured in clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians in Jerusalem.
- Dozens of Palestinians barricaded themselves in the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount.
- In response to the clashes, radical Palestinians from the Gaza Strip fired several rockets towards Israel.
Twelve Palestinians were injured and several arrested in clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces, the Haaretz newspaper reported. The Jerusalem Post reported that a police officer was also injured.
The police began their attack on the people holed up in the Al-Aqsa complex before sunrise, eyewitnesses reported to the Reuters news agency. They also prevented paramedics from reaching the mosque, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.
According to media reports, the police also used stun grenades during the operation.
Legend:
Israeli security forces patrol the Al-Aqsa compound.
REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Police said they were forced to enter the site after “masked agitators” locked themselves inside the mosque with firecrackers, sticks and stones. “A large group of rioters fired firecrackers from inside the mosque.”
missiles towards Israel
Radical Palestinians in the Gaza Strip reportedly fired several rockets at Israel. Alarm sirens had been activated in the city of Sderot, which borders directly on the Gaza Strip, and in other places in the south of the country, the army reported. There is no information about injuries or even deaths.
The head of the militant Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Ismail Haniya, had previously called on the Palestinians to go to the Al-Aqsa mosque and “protect” them.
Repetitive confrontation
Violent confrontations between Palestinians and Israeli security forces have repeatedly occurred in the area around the Al-Aqsa Mosque in recent years.
The Temple Mount with the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam. But it is also sacred to Jews because there used to be two Jewish temples there.
Before the start of the Muslim month of fasting, Ramadan, there were fears that the already tense security situation in the country would deteriorate.
Lots of visitors because of Ramadan and Passover
A particularly large number of Muslims are currently coming to the Temple Mount to pray there during the month of fasting.
The Jewish festival of Passover begins today. One of the customs is a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The situation is more tense than usual this year due to the coincidence of Ramadan, Passover and the Christian Easter festival, with more people and religious groups visiting the site.
The Temple Mount is under Muslim administration while Israel is responsible for security. According to an agreement with the Muslim authorities, Jews can visit the facility but not pray there. However, this is repeatedly violated.