Israel Forces Attack On Al Aqsa Leaves 158 Injured

At least 158 Palestinian devotees were left injured after Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa mosque on Friday morning while worshippers had gathered to perform the dawn prayer. The forces also attacked journalists, medics, women, and children outside of the mosque. 

Several videos and images emerging from the site displayed the Israeli forces firing tear gas, stun grenades, sound canisters, and live ammunition at the worshippers who were seen barricading themselves with rocks inside the mosque. 

Videos and images surfacing from Jerusalem’s Old City mosque also displayed the forces beating up Palestinians as the worshippers are seen tied up and lying on the floor of the mosque. 

According to the Palestine Red Crescent Society over 59 devotees were left critically injured by the Israeli troops. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) also barred ambulances and paramedics from entering the compounds of the mosque. 

The IDF said three of its officers were also injured from ‘massive stone-throwing’, reported Al-Jazeera. 

Over 400 Palestinian worshippers were arrested with at least one child detained by the Israeli forces at the Al Aqsa mosque. 

The IDF reported that they had entered the mosque compound in order to control a ‘violent’ crowd after some Palestinians began stone pelting the Jewish prayer space of the Western Wall. 

But contradicting the IDF’s claim, those present at the site reported the troops using force to empty the mosque compound, assaulting those present at the site including elders, women, children, mosque volunteers, medics, and journalists.

The attack also resulted in broken glass windows and damage to the centuries-old walls of the third holiest site of Muslims. 

Several far-right Jewish groups have threatened to perform prayers and sacrifice animals in the Al Aqsa mosque during the Jewish Passover. Both acts are in clear violation of the 1967 agreement regarding Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem.