Palestinians injured after Israeli forces storm Al-Aqsa compound during Prophet Muhammad rally

As Palestinians rallied in the mosque's courtyard holding up flags, Israeli forces stormed the compound firing rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades, emptying the compound of thousands of worshippers.
2 min read
18 June, 2021
At least nine Palestinians were injured after Israeli forces stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque compound firing rubber bullets at worshippers [Getty]

At least nine Palestinians were injured after Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound firing rubber bullets at worshippers on Friday.

Some 1,000 Palestinians rallied after Friday prayers to protest insults directed at Prophet Muhammad in a Tuesday march by hardline Jewish settlers in the occupied East Jerusalem. They chanted anti-Islam insults and "Death to Arabs".

As Palestinian protesters gathered in the courtyard holding up flags, Israeli forces stormed the compound firing rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades, emptied the compound of thousands of worshippers.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said nine people were hurt in the attacks, including three hospitalised, with injuries reported due to "beatings, rubber and sound bombs".

Israeli forces also arrested at least 10 Palestinians they accused of "throwing stones". 

A day earlier, Israeli police said they arrested eight Palestinians who demonstrated at the Damascus Gate, an entrance to Jerusalem's Old City, where the Jewish extremists march had congregated.

The raid comes as a fragile ceasefire holds in the besieged Gaza Strip, ending the Israeli bombing campaign that killed at least 256 Palestinians, including 66 children.

Also on Friday, Palestinians protested near Nablus in the occupied West Bank against the expansion of a Jewish settlement on the lands of Beita village.

The Red Crescent said 47 people were injured when security forces fired tear gas canisters and rubber bullets.

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West Bank villages often hold Friday demonstrations against land confiscation, house demolitions and Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law. The events are often responded to by Israeli army firing teargas and live gunfire.

Some 475,000 Jewish settlers live in the occupied West Bank in settlements deemed illegal under Israeli and international law. The West Bank is home to more than 2.8 million Palestinians.

Israel forces have been slammed by rights group and activists for displaying an "appalling disregard for human life" by using reckless and unlawful lethal force against Palestinians.

Amnesty International has repeatedly urged an end to  the "worrying rise in unlawful killings by Israeli forces, fostered by a culture of impunity".