Recently, a video has circulated on social media showing Israeli troops attacking Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem in the early hours of Friday (15/04). At that time, thousands of worshipers were gathering in the mosque for the dawn prayer.
Seen in the video circulating, Israeli officers fired tear gas and stun grenades at Palestinians. As a form of defense, Palestinians throw stones. Meanwhile, other worshipers were also seen barricading themselves inside the mosque amid a cloud of tear gas, as reported by CNBC Indonesia.
As a result of the incident, at least 170 people were injured, as reported by AFP. Most of the injuries suffered by Palestinians were caused by rubber bullets, stun grenades and beatings with police batons, the Palestinian Red Crescent service said.
Chronology of Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli Police at Al-Aqsa Mosque
Israeli police said the clashes started at 04:00 local time when "dozens of masked men" marched to the Al-Aqsa Mosque to set off fireworks. Then some people suddenly threw stones at the Western Wall, the place considered the holiest site where Jews can pray.
Israeli police then entered the Al-Aqsa compound to disperse and push back (the crowd) and allow other worshipers to leave the premises safely.
Witnesses said Israeli security forces fired rubber-coated bullets and sound grenades at several residents. Palestinians responded by throwing stones.
The Palestinian Red Crescent's emergency services said one of the Palestinian guards at the site was shot in the eye with a rubber bullet. Israeli police said three officers were injured as a result of "massive stone throwing", with two being evacuated from the scene for treatment.
Palestinians see the massive police deployment in Al-Aqsa as a major provocation. However, Israel's Minister of National Security, Omer Barlev, who oversees the police force, said Israel had "no interest" in the violence at the holy site, but that officers were forced to confront "elements of violence" against them with stones.
This clash occurred in the holy month of Ramadan and coincided with the date of the Jewish Passover. Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam. The mosque is built on a hilltop in Jerusalem's Old City which is the holiest site for Jews, who call it the Temple Mount.
Palestinian PM: Brutal Attack on Congregation!
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called the Israeli police attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque a "brutal attack on worshipers during the holy month", and a dangerous sign.
Meanwhile in Gaza, a spokesman for Hamas, which controls the area, said Israel's use of force at the holy site would not go unpunished.
Reportedly after the clashes, the Israeli police re-entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The purpose of the Israeli police entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque is to facilitate the regular visits of Jews to the holy site.