In early hours of Wednesday violence clashes erupted between the Israeli police forces and Palestinians in the West Bank as they raid on Al Aqsa Mosque located in Jerusalem. The violence reported during Ramadan, holy month of Muslims and just prior to the Jews Passover.
According to the local news agency, large number of youths barricaded themselves with clubs, fireworks and rocks in the Al Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday Night.
The Israeli Police Forces released a statement in which they said they were forced to enter into the al-Haram al-Sharif, prayer hall in the Temple Mount Compound, after multiple attempts to get them out through talks did not succeed. They entered into the mosque to dislodge “agitators”, said in a statement.Two of the Palestinians were killed but the rest escaped into Gaza with the captive Israeli soldier, Cpl. Gilad Shalit, 19, who is believed to have been wounded. He was the first Israeli soldier kidnapped in more than a decade.
Tension increases as Israeli forces raid :
In reaction, protestors burned tyres, threw explosives and rocks at Israeli Security forces in the town of Beit Ummar, security forces said in a statement. One soldier was wounded, it added.
At least nine rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel by Palestinian militants in the early hours of day. In retaliation, The Israeli Air Force targeted Hamas training camps. According to witnesses, tanks also attacked Hamas positions.
Daniel Hagari, IDF spokesperson said that they are not interested in an escalation but ready for eventuality.
Tensions appeared to have calmed by late Wednesday morning due to international attempts to defuse the situation.
According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, 12 Palestinians had received injuries during the raid from beating and rubber-tipped bullets. It also added that the Israeli Security forces stopped it medics to reaching the area.
Several videos spreading on social media showed Israeli Security forces beating people inside the building of the mosque.
The Israeli police forces released some footages which shows police advancing towards building and entering under firework explosions.
The Israeli Police forces said in a statement that stones were thrown and firecrackers were exploded inside the mosque by rioters throughout they were present in the compound. During the raid, two police officer received injuries, it added.
At least 350 people were arrested, it said.
Amid fears of clashes with Jews visitors in the mosque compound, Muslim worshippers spent the night to the site.
Under the long established agreement which Israel says it preserves, non-Muslims can visit the mosque compound but are not allowed to worship. Only Muslims are allowed. In recent years, Jewish visitors breaking the agreement have prayed openly at the compound.
The Waqf, an Islamic organisation manages the complex appointed by the Jordan, called the Israeli Police action a “flagrant assault on the identity and the function of the mosque as a place of worship for Muslims alone.”
The attack on worshipper was also condemned by The Palestinian leadership and describe as a crime. A spokesperson for the Palestinian president, Nabil Abu Rudeineh said that they warned the Israel against the crossing red lines at holy site. It will lead to a massive explosion, he added.
In a statement, the Palestinian foreign ministry said that Israel’s aggression is an assault on the Palestinian’s basic right to worship in their holy site freely.
The incident attracted a strong reaction from Arab countries. Jordan and Egypt released separate statement condemning the incident strongly. Saudi Arabia condemning the incident said the “storming” of Al Aqsa by Israel undermined the efforts of peace.
Last year in 2022 also, the Israeli police forces entered the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in which, at least 300 Palestinians were arrested and 170 were wounded.
With inputs from various news agencies.
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