Israeli forces withdrew from occupied East Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound today following fierce clashes with Muslim worshipers that left several Palestinians injured, according to a Palestinian official.
“Israeli Special Forces and police withdrew from the mosque compound after four hours of clashes [with Palestinian worshipers],” Sheikh Azzam Al-Khatib, director-general of Al-Aqsa affairs, told the Anadolu Agency today.
Following the withdrawal, he added, Israeli police stationed at the gates of the compound began allowing Palestinians back into the area after taking their identification cards.
Earlier today, dozens were injured after Israeli security forces used teargas and rubber bullets to disperse Muslim worshipers inside the mosque compound, according to witnesses.
“At least 170 Israeli Special Forces and policemen forced their way into the compound through the Al-Mughrabi Gate and began firing rubber bullets and stun grenades,” Al-Khatib said.
In the wake of the incident, he added, an elderly Palestinian man was taken to a nearby hospital and is in a critical condition.
Israeli forces also stormed the compound’s Al-Qibali Mosque, where they also used force to disperse Palestinian worshipers, several of whom were detained.
According to the Israeli police, seven Palestinians were arrested from inside the mosque itself, while two others were detained near the Al-Silsila Gate.
Jewish extremists had called on followers to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
For Muslims, Al-Aqsa represents the world’s third holiest site. Jews, for their part, refer to the area as the “Temple Mount”, claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.
Some extremist Jewish groups have called for the demolition of Al-Aqsa Mosque so that a Jewish temple might be built in its place.
In September 2000, a visit to Al-Aqsa by controversial Israeli politician Ariel Sharon sparked what later became known as the Second Intifada, a popular uprising against the illegal occupation in which thousands of Palestinians were killed.