Clashes after Israeli troops storm Al-Aqsa mosque compound
Clashes after Israeli troops storm Al-Aqsa mosque compound
Clashes erupted on Sunday after Israeli soldiers entered the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem, witnesses said.
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Israeli occupation forces block a road leading to al-Aqsa mosque on Sept. 13 [Getty]
Israeli occupation forces entered Al-Aqsa mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem on Sunday and Palestinians threw tones as the sought to protect the site.
Al-Aqsa is Islam's third holiest site.
The disturbances came with tensions running high after Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon last week outlawed two Muslim groups that protect the site from Jewish extremists.
Palestinian witnesses said police entered the mosque itself, but Israeli Police deny this. A Palestinian witness accused police of entering the mosque and causing damage, saying prayer mats were partially burned.
Clashes later continued outside the mosque complex, with police firing tear gas and stun grenades.
The defence minister's move last week banned the Murabitat and Murabitun. His office said the groups were "a main factor in creating the tension and violence" at the site.
Non-Muslims are allowed to visit the compound.
Israel seized east Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, in the Six Day War of 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognised by the international community.
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