Dozens Injured in Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Protesters in Quds
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Israeli military forces attacked Palestinian worshipers on Friday outside the Old City of al-Quds (Jerusalem), injuring dozens of them, as tensions ran high after Tel Aviv regime decided to prevent male worshipers under 50 from entering the al-Aqsa compound.
The Israeli forces fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse the Palestinian protesters and worshippers, preventing them from holding Friday prayers.
The unrest erupted outside Herod's Gate as Israeli police stopped younger men from entering the Old City of al-Quds and The Haram eal-Sharif (Temple Mount), also known as the Noble Sanctuary, allowing only male worshipers aged 50 and over and women to go through.
The clashes came as Palestinians have been prepared for fresh demonstrations on Friday over new security measures at the holy site in occupied East al-Quds, a week after a deadly shoot-out at the compound that triggered tensions.
Police swarmed into Arab neighborhoods in the morning, particularly in and around the walled Old City where the shrine is located, according to the Al Jazeera news network.
At least 3,000 Israeli police and border police units had been deployed to the area, according to a police spokesman.
Last Friday, the Israeli regime shut down al-Aqsa Mosque after a deadly shooting at the holy mosque’s compound in the Old City.
The gunfight took place just outside the Haram al-Sharif and left three Palestinians and two Israeli police officers dead.
Following the incident, the Israeli police closed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, briefly detained Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, the grand mufti of Jerusalem al-Quds, and canceled Muslim Friday prayers at the site.
