12 Palestinians injured as Israeli forces raid Al-Aqsa, detaining South
African nationals
June 26, 2016 11:28 A.M. (Updated: June 26, 2016 3:48 P.M.)
http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=772005

JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in
occupied East Jerusalem Sunday morning, clashing with worshipers, injuring
at least 12 Palestinians and detaining four, as the Muslim holy month of
Ramadan entered its final ten holiest days.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said Israeli forces fired rubber-coated steel
bullets and tear gas canisters at a group of worshipers, and also hit them
with batons. Five Palestinians were taken to the al-Maqasid Hospital in
occupied East Jerusalem for treatment.

Witnesses said Israeli forces toured the Al-Qabli mosque in the compound in
the early morning, before opening the Moroccan Gate to allow a group of
ultra-religious Jewish Israelis to enter the complex, which caused clashes
between Palestinian worshipers and Israeli forces.


Al-Aqsa Compound Director Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani told Ma'an that 12
worshipers were injured with rubber-coated steel bullets, three in the head
and the rest in the back and lower extremities.

Al-Kiswani explained that despite the fact that Israel had previously closed
the Moroccan Gate, through which Israeli visitors and tourists enter, during
the last 10 days of Ramadan for the past 14 years, it was opened today,
sparking the clashes.

Al-Kiswani condemned the raids and targeting of worshipers during this
period, and held Israeli police responsible for what happened.

Locals said Israeli forces assaulted Al-Aqsa guard Badir Badir, wounding him
in the head.

Sheikh Azzam al-Khatib, director of the Islamic Endowment (Waqf) at Al-Aqsa,
told Ma'an that Israeli authorities were trying to impose a new status quo
at Al-Aqsa by allowing Israelis to enter the compound in the last ten days
of Ramadan, during which time some Muslims stay at Al-Aqsa to pray for long
periods of time.

He added that Israeli police insisted on allowing Israelis and tourists into
the mosque today, which provoked worshipers.

Israeli police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld confirmed to Ma'an that four
Palestinians were arrested inside the Al-Aqsa compound Sunday for "causing
disturbances," adding that after the arrests the tour for the group of
Israelis "carried on as normal."

The Islamic Endowment slammed Israel for its continuing "provocations" on
the holy site earlier this month, highlighting the extreme sensitivity
surrounding Al-Aqsa during the month of Ramadan, and the danger of
continuing illegal tours for extremist Israelis on the compound.

Local sources later told Ma'an that two of those detained during the clashes
were South African nationals.

Visits by such right-wing groups are viewed as provocative by many
Palestinians, as the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock are symbols of East
Jerusalem, the desired capital for a future Palestinian state, which has
been under Israeli military occupation since 1967.



The Waqf said it held Israeli authorities “fully responsible for the
repercussions of the ruthless policy that encourages extremism and
irrationality.” They implored the Jordanian government -- who plays a role
in governing the compound -- to intervene immediately and stop the
“provocations and harassment.”
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