Protest Calls Grow as Israel Tightens Grip on Al-Aqsa
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has called for a "Day of Rage" to protest against new security measures introduced by Israel at a site in the Old City of Jerusalem (al-Quds).
The call follows the implementation of metal detectors and turnstiles at the entrance of al-Aqsa compound after a deadly shootout there on Friday, Al Jazeera news network reported.
In that incident, three Palestinians and two Israeli security officers were killed.
Tensions have soared since Friday.
The Red Cross said on Tuesday that at least 50 Palestinians were wounded in overnight clashes with Israeli police remaining near the sacred site, known as the Temple Mount to Jews and the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims.
At least four paramedics were injured, and 15 others were hit by rubber bullets, the charity said.
Clashes also broke out on Tuesday evening after Israeli security forces used sound bombs and rubber bullets to disperse a crowd of worshippers near Lion’s gate in occupied Jerusalem after evening prayers.
A number of Palestinians suffered rubber bullet injuries, including former Jerusalem Mufti Sheikh Ikrima Sabri.
The Fatah and Islamic Jihad movements have also called for protests in the West Bank and Gaza Strip over the new security measures.
The "Day of Rage" is set to take place on Wednesday.
For the third day now, the Islamic Waqf authority, which runs the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, is refusing to enter through the Israeli metal detectors, the report added.
Fatah is calling for Friday prayers to be conducted in public squares in Palestinian cities to denounce what they described as "terrorist procedures" by Israel in occupied East Jerusalem.
Palestinians have already been performing prayers outside the compound in protest, since it was reopened on Sunday after a two-day closure.
Jerusalem Grand Mufti Mohammed Ahmed Hussein criticized the new measures as altering the status quo, which gives Muslims religious control over the site and permits Jews to visit but not pray there.
In a statement, Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that Israeli forces removed worshippers at Lions' Gate for allegedly blocking the street while performing prayers.
The Palestinians fear Israel is trying to retake control of the site by stealth.
The site houses the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock shrine, Islam's third holiest site after Mecca and Medina, but also the ruins of the Biblical Jewish Temple.
After Friday's alleged attack, Israel closed off the area, preventing Friday prayers at the al-Aqsa Mosque for the first time in decades.
