Clashes at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque – 67 injured
The growing tensions coincide with the Muslim month of fasting, Ramadan
Quelle: AP / Mahmoud Illean
At least 67 people have been injured in clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces on the Temple Mount. The security situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories is extremely tense.
AClashes between Israeli police and Palestinians broke out early Friday morning at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. At least 67 Palestinians were injured, according to paramedics. Israel said security forces entered the mosque premises to remove stones that were believed to have been collected there in preparation for violence.
According to the police, the violent confrontation broke out after the end of morning prayers. Rioters threw stones and fired firecrackers. Around 100 rioters were among around 12,000 believers. Videos circulating online showed Palestinians throwing stones and police officers firing tear gas and stun grenades. Other images showed worshipers barricading themselves inside the mosque amid apparent clouds of tear gas.
The German Press Agency reported, citing the Palestinian Red Crescent, that 67 injured people had been taken to hospitals. According to the foundation, one of the guards at the mosque was shot in the eye with a rubber bullet. According to the AFP news agency, around 100 people are said to have been injured. 90 people were taken to hospitals, AFP quoted the Palestinian Red Crescent as saying.
Palestinians threw stones while Israeli police fired tear gas and stun grenades
Quelle: AP / Mahmoud Illean
The Israeli police spoke of three injured in their ranks. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said dozens of hooded men with Palestinian and Hamas flags marched into the compound early Friday and collected stones. Police were forced to enter the site to disperse the crowd and remove the stones, preventing further violence, the ministry tweeted.
Police said security forces waited until prayers were over. The crowd began throwing stones at the Western Wall. Then she had to intervene. The security forces did not enter the mosque itself. Three police officers were injured by stones.
The mosque is the third holiest site in Islam. It stands on a hill in the old city of Jerusalem, which as the Temple Mount is the holiest site for the Jews. There has been violence between Israelis and Palestinians there for decades, and the site was also at the center of the Palestinian Intifada from 2000 to 2005. Palestinians regard any major appearance by security forces at the mosque as a provocation.
Hamas, which governs Gaza, has condemned what it called “brutal attacks” by Israeli security forces on worshipers in al-Aqsa. Israel will have to bear “all the consequences” for this. Tensions between Palestinians and Israeli security forces have recently increased significantly after a series of Palestinian attacks in which 14 Israelis were killed in the past few weeks.
Tens of thousands of Muslims were expected in Jerusalem’s Old City for Friday prayers to pray on and around the Temple Mount during the Muslim month of fasting, Ramadan. The Jewish Passover festival, which will also attract believers and visitors, also begins on Friday evening. The Ministry of Tourism expects a total of 30,000 foreign tourists this week alone.
In addition, despite the bloody wave of terror, thousands of Christians want to reenact Jesus’ Way of the Cross in Jerusalem on Good Friday. A massive police presence is expected, especially in the old town. Last year, clashes around the Al-Aqsa Mosque led to days of heavy fighting between the radical Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Israeli security forces.
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