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.
The U.S. Department of State issued a statement saying it was “deeply concerned by the violence.”
