Clashes break out as Israeli police enter Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque. More than 350 arrests in Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa compound said Israel police.
According to police, they “arrested and removed over 350 individuals who violently barricaded” themselves inside the mosque in annexed east Jerusalem’s Old City.
Israeli officers claimed they entered to remove “agitators.” Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, has urged Palestinians in the West Bank to “go en masse to the Al-Aqsa mosque to defend it.”
The fighting came as Muslims celebrated Ramadan and Jews prepared to begin the Passover celebration on Wednesday evening. Raising fears of a larger conflagration. Similar clashes erupted two years ago into an 11-day conflict between Israel and Gaza’s ruling Hamas militant organization. In addition an Israeli soldier was shot in a different incident.
The mosque is located on a sensitive hilltop complex that is sacred to both Jews and Muslims. Al-Aqsa is Islam’s third holiest location. And it is usually packed with worshippers during Ramadan. The Temple Mount, a holy place for Jews, is also the holiest place in Judaism. As it is the location of the biblical Jewish temples. Conflicting claims feed constant tensions.
Dozens of worshippers injured
According to a Palestine news agency, dozens of worshippers who were spending the night praying were injured in the police raid.
Police video reveals repeated explosions of fireworks inside the mosque. One amateur video shot by Palestinians shows officers scuffling with people. And beating them with clubs and rifle butts while a woman shouted, “Oh God. Oh, God.”
Moreover, police used stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse groups of teenagers outside the entrance.
According to police, one officer was injured in the leg. They shared photos of fireworks and at least one large stone that appeared to be thrown.
Palestinian militants retaliated by launching a barrage of rockets from Gaza into southern Israel. Setting off air raid alarms as residents prepared for the start of the week-long Passover holiday.
According to the Israeli military, five rockets were launched and were all intercepted. Hours later, Israel retaliated with airstrikes on Hamas weapons storage and manufacturing sites.
