By Turgut Alp Boyraz
JERUSALEM (AA): At least 13 Palestinians were wounded late Tuesday when Israeli police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at worshippers near the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, in East Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Worshippers were performing the night prayer when police intervened at one of the mosque gates, Gate of the Tribes area, in the latest violence since new security measures were implemented this month by Israeli authorities at the holy site.
The WAFA Palestinian News Agency reported that the soldiers assaulted the Palestinians in a surprise attack near al-Ghazali area, striking them with batons, in addition to firing many gas bombs and concussion grenades at them.
The Palestinian Red Crescent (PRC) reported that its medics moved three Palestinians to a hospital, including a child, only ten years of age, who was shot with concussion grenades in her head and arm.
PRC medics also provided the needed treatment to thirteen Palestinians, who were shot with rubber-coated steel bullets; one of them is a journalist, identified as Fatima al-Bakri.
In addition, the soldiers abducted a journalist identified as Fayez Abu Rmeila, and took him to an unknown destination
Anger has spilled across the West Bank since Israel shut East Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque following a deadly shootout July 14. The site is venerated by Muslims and Jews, who call it the Temple Mount.
The mosque was reopened after two days, with Israel installing metal detectors and cameras at its gates.
Three Palestinians were killed Friday in protests against the measures around the holy site. Three Israelis were also killed in an attack in a settlement in the West Bank.
Israel refused to remove the detectors, claiming the security measures were similar to procedures taken at other holy sites around the world.
But facing international criticism and pressure, Israel’s security cabinet decided late Monday to remove the metal detectors. A statement released after the meeting said a new surveillance system using “smart checks” based on advanced technology would be put in place.
Jerusalem is sacred Muslims, Jews and Christians — and the Al-Aqsa Mosque is the Islamic world’s third holiest site behind the cities of Makkah and Madinah.
[Photo: Palestinian woman is being hospitalized being attacked by Israeli security forces with plastic bullets, stun grenades and tears gas after Palestinians performed evening prayer in front of Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound’s Lion Gate in Jerusalem on July 25, 2017. Photographer: Mostafa Alkharouf/AA]
