Israeli security forces entered Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on Friday as Palestinians gathered for Ramadan prayers, sparking clashes that left scores injured.
Tensions have been running high in a season where Muslim, Christian and Jewish holidays coincide. Almost a year ago, Israel fought an 11-day war with Gaza-based militants that was partly set off by clashes with Israeli forces in Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month. A recent spate of shootings in Israeli cities has raised the specter of renewed communal violence.
Israel’s foreign ministry said police had to enter the grounds to disperse a crowd and remove stones and rocks, “in order to prevent further violence.” The Palestinian Red Crescent said in a statement that 152 people were wounded. Palestinian authorities said police actions were “a desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque” and a “push towards a religious war”.
