Jerusalem witnessed a second night of violence on Wednesday when Palestinian worshippers barricaded themselves inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque within the sensitive compound of the Old City, and Israeli police used force to evacuate them.The situation remained tense as both Muslims celebrated the Ramadan holy month and Jews observed the weeklong Passover holiday. Palestinian militants from Gaza resumed their rocket attacks on Israel, increasing concerns of a broader conflict. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, at least six people were injured in the recent violence.
According to the Islamic Waqf authorities, who are responsible for managing the compound, the police dispersed the crowds by using stun grenades and rubber bullets. According to the Israeli police, a large number of young people who were breaking the law caused unrest by throwing rocks and other objects at police officers, which forced the police to take action to re-establish "security, law, and order." Meanwhile, the Waqf authorities encouraged Palestinians to offer prayers inside the compound throughout the night, leading to an increase in the number of people who gathered in the mosque.
At one entrance of the mosque, police officers were seen escorting dozens of Palestinians out of the compound, while onlookers watched videos on social media depicting renewed clashes that had occurred only meters away. Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli police had stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque, firing stun grenades at Palestinians who hurled stones and firecrackers during a sensitive holiday season, which prompted Palestinian militants in Gaza to respond with rocket fire on southern Israel, leading to repeated Israeli airstrikes.
After a brief calm on Wednesday morning, violence resumed in the evening when Palestinian militants launched two rockets from Gaza towards Israel, with one falling inside Gaza and the other near the security fence. No casualties were reported. The violence is centered around Al-Aqsa Mosque, a holy site revered by both Jews and Muslims. The disputed ownership of the site has previously led to outbreaks of violence, including the recent 11-day war between Israel and Hamas. The situation remains tense as Muslims celebrate Ramadan and Jews mark the Passover holiday. Palestinian militant groups have warned of further confrontations, but Palestinian officials are in talks with various countries and the United Nations to de-escalate the situation. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has announced that the country is taking measures to reduce tensions at the sacred site. Witnesses reported that police used various objects, including chairs and rifles, to strike Palestinian worshippers who responded with stones and firecrackers.
According to medics from the Palestinian Red Crescent, at least 50 people were injured during the violence at Al-Aqsa Mosque, but Israeli police said they were not able to confirm the reports. The police did, however, report that 350 people were arrested, and one officer was injured in the leg. The Israeli military reported that a soldier was shot and moderately wounded in the occupied West Bank.
By early afternoon, most of the Palestinians who were arrested had been released. However, approximately 50 Palestinians, many of whom were from the occupied West Bank, remained detained and were scheduled to have their cases heard at the Ofer military court on Friday. It is estimated that around 450 individuals were arrested in total.
The United Nations' Middle East envoy, Tor Wennesland, has strongly criticized the violence at Al-Aqsa and expressed his disapproval of the brutal assault on Palestinians and the large-scale arrests made by the authorities. He also mentioned the reports of Palestinians hoarding firecrackers and rocks, which he found concerning. The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, also condemned the incident, emphasizing the right of Palestinian Muslim devotees to pray at the revered Aqsa Mosque, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Wednesday his commitment to preserving the longstanding arrangement at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, after Israeli police forcibly removed Palestinian worshippers who barricaded themselves inside overnight to pray. During the recent tensions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu referred to the worshippers who locked themselves in the mosque as "extremists" who prevented peaceful Muslim worship. According to longstanding agreements, Jews are allowed to visit the compound but are not allowed to pray there. However, the growing number of Jewish visits, some of which include Jews quietly praying, have often led to tensions between the two groups.
On Wednesday, over 100 religious Jews visited the site during regular visiting hours, while small crowds of Muslims gathered around them shouting, "God is greater!" The administration of the Palestinian territory under Israeli occupation strongly criticized the assault on the worshippers and warned that it could lead to a significant escalation of the situation.In response, Palestinian militants launched a series of rockets from Gaza into southern Israel, but all the rockets were successfully intercepted. In response, Israel carried out airstrikes that it said hit Hamas weapons storage and manufacturing sites. Violence has surged between Israelis and Palestinians over the last year, with 88 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and 15 Israelis killed in Palestinian attacks.
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