On Friday, Palestinians and the Israeli Police clashed at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound where thousands from all over the world had gathered for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. According to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, it treated 152 people wounded in the face-off. The mosque is located in the Old City of Jerusalem which is a holy site for Muslims as well as Jews.
According to a statement released by the Israeli Police, hundreds of Palestinians had gathered in the mosque compound and threw firecrackers and stones at the sacred Jewish site, the Western Wall. The police retaliated by firing tear gas and stun grenades at the crowd to disperse and push them back to ensure the safety of other devotees. At least three police officers were injured in the incident.
The Jordanian royal family, the Hashemites, who have custodianship of the mosque, expressed concerns over the attack and accused Israel of “a dangerous and condemnable escalation that threatens to explode the situation.” The public security minister of Israel, Omer Bar-Lev, refuted the claims and said Israel had “no interest” in the escalation of violence in the holy site.
In recent weeks, 14 people in Israel were killed in a series of Palestinian attacks. The coincidence of the Islamic Ramadan and the Jewish Passover this year could also have caused heightened tensions between the two sides, according to sources.

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Clash between Palestinians and Israeli forces leaves at least 155 injured