At least 152 Palestinians were injured in the clash between Palestinians and Israeli police at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The recent increase in the dose of violence has increased the concerns that there may be wider conflicts.
In a statement made by the Palestine Red Crescent, it was reported that Palestinians were injured as a result of the throwing of plastic bullets and sound bombs in the events that took place in Masjid al-Aqsa, one of the most sensitive points of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the police beat some Palestinians with batons.
Israeli security forces had been on alert after Arab street attacks for the past two weeks. Violence at the Al-Aqsa Mosque has fueled the risk of wider violence, such as the clashes in Gaza last year.
Masjid al-Aqsa, located in the Old City of East Jerusalem, known as the Harem-i Sharif by Muslims and the Temple Mount by Jews, was captured by Israel in 1967 during the Middle East war.
In a statement, Israeli police reported that after the morning prayer, hundreds of Palestinians attacked the police and the Wailing Wall in the Old City with firecrackers and stones.
According to the statement, the police then entered the Masjid al-Aqsa and tried to “disperse the crowd and ensure that the worshipers left the mosque safely.” It was reported that three police officers were injured during the incidents.
A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in a Twitter message that Israeli police detained hundreds of Palestinians.
Bennett said, “We are trying to maintain calm on the Temple Mount and throughout Israel. In addition, we are preparing for any scenario, the security forces are ready for any task.”
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the other hand, stated in its statement regarding the violence in Masjid al-Aqsa, “Israel is held fully and directly responsible for this crime and its consequences.”
“Vile violence”
Nabil Abu Rudeyna, spokesman for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, said in a statement, “The international community needs to intervene urgently to stop Israel’s aggressive attitude towards Al-Aqsa Mosque and to prevent the situation from getting out of control.” The Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas, which controls Gaza, also noted that Israel “bears responsibility for the consequences”.
In a statement made by Jordan, Israel’s raid on Al-Aqsa Mosque was described as “despicable violence” and condemned.
Hashemite kingdom in Jordan, protector of Muslim and Christian holy sites in East Jerusalem. Israel, which ensures the security of Masjid al-Aqsa, recognized this role of the Hashemites in accordance with the 1994 peace agreement with Jordan.
Tensions have escalated this year as the month of Ramadan coincides with the Jewish Passover.
Last year, during the month of Ramadan, incidents broke out between Palestinians and Israeli police at night. The threat of expulsion of Palestinians from East Jerusalem and the police raids on Masjid al-Aqsa led to the 11-day Israel-Gaza war, in which more than 250 Palestinians in Gaza and 13 people in Israel lost their lives.
Israeli forces have killed 29 Palestinians in their raids on the West Bank since March, after Palestinian aggressors killed 14 Israelis in their attacks in some Israeli cities.