Clashes broke out on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on Sunday, as Israeli authorities allowed Jews to enter the flashpoint holy site to mark Jerusalem Day.
Jerusalem District Police forces were placed on high alert following an early morning decision to allow Jewish worshippers into the site, which usually remains closed during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to minimize friction between Jewish and Muslim worshippers.
Riots broke out soon after Jewish worshippers entered the site, with Muslim rioters "hurling stones, chairs, and miscellaneous objects at them," a police spokesperson said.
Jerusalem District Police Commander Maj. Gen. Doron Yadid took command of the scene and instructed his troops to enter the Temple Mount and disperse the riot.
"The district commander ordered the police to disperse rioters and the rioters were pushed toward the [Al-Aqsa] mosque where they barricaded themselves. Police forces broke into the mosque while rioters hurled chairs and various objects at them. The police dispersed the rioters and later arrested a number of suspects who continued to incite provocations," the spokesperson said.
The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, an Islamic trust that controls and manages the current Islamic edifices on and around Al-Aqsa mosque, called on Muslim worshippers to "defend the holy sites against sacrilege by Jews and the acts of the occupation," prompting hundreds of Muslims to arrive at the site.
In the Gaza Strip, Hamas and Islamic Jihad both warned of an escalation following rioters' arrests by Israeli authorities.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri warned that "the Zionist enemy will bear full responsibility for the events on Al-Aqsa Mosque."
A spokesman for the Islamic Jihad warned of "grave consequences following the events on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the occupation's attempts to infringe on the status quo by trying to prevent Muslims from praying at holy sites."
Last month, the Jerusalem District Police said that the site would be closed to Jews and tourists "for reasons of public safety and public order." The move outraged right-wing activists, who claimed it was discriminatory against Jews.
Amid a security crackdown in preparation for Jerusalem Day, security forces arrested at least 20 Palestinians in east Jerusalem on Saturday night, in a large-scale police sweep.
The third holiest site in Islam, Muslims believe Al-Aqsa Mosque is where the Prophet Muhammad was transported from Mecca before ascending to heaven.
This article was originally published by i24NEWS. Read more at https://www.i24news.tv/en.
