Israeli police Friday dawn detained eight Palestinians from East Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound amid tensions surrounding the holy month of Ramadan, according to WAFA correspondent.

He said that police forced their way into the southern building inside the mosque compound, known as al-Qibli Mosque, as well as into the courtyards in an attempt to force worshippers out, and detained eight.

This came as fresh clashes broke out between police and Palestinian worshippers in the Old City of Jerusalem, particularly near Bab al-Amoud, also known as Damascus Gate, after police banned people from sitting on the stairs outside the gate under the guise of implementing the coronavirus restrictions.

Police fired concussion grenades towards people to forcefully disperse them as undercover Israeli forces, known as Mista'arvim, abducted a person.

Policemen also scuffled with a group of youths near Bab al-Sahira, also known as Herod’s Gate, and dispersed them.

It was the third consecutive night of clashes.

The clashes erupted over Israeli police increased violations and provocations against the Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem, especially in and around Al-Aqsa Mosque since the beginning of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.

These violations include shutting down the loudspeakers of the mosque as a means to prevent the calls for prayers in addition to preventing the entry of meals to the worshippers in the evening hours after a long day of fasting without food or water.

 

Source: Wafa News Agency