Clashes erupt again at Al-Aqsa Mosque

After 10 days of calm, clashes erupted again on Thursday in the courtyard of the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem. Israeli-Palestinian tensions have escalated over the conflict. However, no casualties were reported in the latest clashes.

Israeli police say law enforcement has detained several people at the scene.

An AFP correspondent said large numbers of police had been deployed in front of the mosque. The Palestinian Red Crescent has not yet reported any casualties in the clashes.

As many as 300 people have been injured in clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound since mid-April. Hundreds have been detained.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site for Muslims around the world. And it is a holy place to the Jews. To them it is known as ‘Temple Mount’. Muslims are unhappy with the recent increase in the number of Jews visiting the holy site. They want to prevent Jews from entering there.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yar’Adua has said that the Jewish state “will not change” its policy regarding the holy al-Aqsa.

Last week, Hamas, a Palestinian pro-independence militant group in the Gaza Strip, threatened Israel with a missile strike if Israeli forces carried out more operations in al-Aqsa.

Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar said to the Palestinians, “If the (Israeli) occupiers do not stop attacking the Al-Aqsa Mosque, you should be prepared for a major war.”
Twelve Israelis and two Ukrainians, including an Israeli police officer, have been killed in four separate attacks in Israel since March 22. Two of them were carried out in the Tel Aviv area. A total of 26 Palestinians and three Israeli Arabs have died since then. Israel claims that Palestinians are involved in the attack on Israel. Some of those killed were involved in the attack.