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Groups of young Palestinians threw fireworks and stones at police officers and attempted to barricade themselves in the al-Aqsa mosque late Wednesday, a police spokeswoman said Thursday morning. The security forces then intervened. According to Palestinian media reports, police used batons, tear gas and rubber bullets to force the worshipers out of the mosque. According to the Palestinian rescue service Red Crescent, several Palestinians were injured.
A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned “the continuation of brutal Israeli attacks against believers” on Thursday evening. The incidents jeopardized efforts to bring peace and stability to the region.
The Temple Mount is under Muslim rule, while Israel is responsible for its security. According to the Israeli police, it is generally forbidden to stay there overnight. Many Palestinian believers see this as limiting their right to practice their religion. The Temple Mount with the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam. However, it is also sacred to Jews because there used to be two Jewish temples.
According to media reports, there were overnight clashes with Israeli security forces in several Arab cities in Israel and the West Bank in response to the events in Jerusalem.
Rocket fire from Gaza again
Palestinian militants fired several rockets at Israel from the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military said warning sirens could be heard in the border area early Thursday morning. That is why seven rockets exploded in the air. According to the information, five were aimed at Israeli territory, two of them at the Mediterranean Sea. The night before, a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip landed on the Israeli side. No one was injured. As a rule, the Israeli army responds to such an attack with a counterattack.
Violence escalated Wednesday night when violent clashes erupted again between Israeli security forces and dozens of Palestinians on the Temple Mount. 350 people were arrested. Paramedics say at least 40 people were injured by police brutality and rubber bullets.
Pesach, Ramadan and Easter at the same time
Before the start of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, about two weeks ago, there were fears that the already tense security situation in the country would worsen. A particularly large number of Muslims currently come to the Temple Mount to pray there during the month of fasting. The week-long Jewish Passover also began on Wednesday. One of the customs is a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. There are also several Easter celebrations in the old town.
The area around the Al-Aqsa Mosque has repeatedly seen violent confrontations in recent years. In 2021, the situation escalated into an 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967. Today, more than 600,000 Israeli settlers live there. The Palestinians claim the territories for an independent state of Palestine with the Arab-influenced eastern part of Jerusalem as its capital.
(SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
