Israeli Forces Attack Al-Aqsa Mosque, Dozens Injured During Ramzan, 40 Arrested Including Child

In an attack similar to last year’s assault on the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, Israeli security forces attacked the Al-Aqsa mosque using stun-grenades, teargas, and rubber-coated steel bullets. The Palestinian Red Crescent says that multiple people have received upper-body wounds and over 67 have been shifted to hospitals in the offensive.

Security forces say that they entered the mosque to remove a “violent crowd” tat had stayed back after morning prayers. They say that Palestinians threw stones at the Jewish site of the Western Wall. The mosque is at the site known as the Temple Mount and is holy to Jews, Muslims, and Christians.

Israeli forces were attempted to clear out worshippers from the mosque and prevented others from entering during the second Friday of the Islamic holy month. According to local accounts reported in various media, forces began clearing people from the mosque’s courtyard before entering the Qibli prayer hall where people refused to be moved and were fired upon directly. 40 people were then arrested from the spot.

The raid on Al-Aqsa comes on the day of the Passover festival of Jews which lasts until Aprl 23^rd, and hardline right-wing groups have said that they will enter the mosque during this time and slaughter animals as sacrifice, as is the Jewish tradition.

Last year, similar attacks on the mosque had prompted protest demonstrations that escalated into a conflict with Palestine-based armed groups. Israel launched a major military offensive that killed 256 Palestinians including 66 children, as per the United Nations. 13 people in Israel had died due to rockets fired from Gaza as well.