Agencies-Gaza post
Israeli forces launch massive invasion of Al-Aqsa, wounding, arresting tens
Dozens of Muslim worshipers were apprehended or hurt on Sunday early morning as Israeli occupation forces launched a fresh raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem, local sources reported.
The latest invasion, which is the second in less than 48 hours, came amid calls by radical Israeli Jewish organizations provoking fans for a mass provocative visit to the mosque during the Passover holiday, which coincides with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, a time when thousands of Muslims, especially Palestinians, usually stay at the holy site for worship day and night.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that its medics treated at least 17 injuries following the Israeli raid on the holy site, of whom three were admitted to hospital.
Local sources said that the attacking forces chased the worshipers and fired stun grenades and teargas randomly to empty the holy area of its Muslim worshipers in order to secure the entrance of Israeli Jewish settlers wishing to celebrate Passover inside the courtyards of the mosque.
At least three arrests were registered among the Palestinian worshipers, said sources. Worshipers were trapped inside the Masjid al-Qibli building in the south region of the holy site also called via loudspeakers for help after they were locked down inside the building by the attacking Israeli forces.
After the Israeli invasion, which is still going on, groups of Jewish settlers entered the holy site in the aftermath of the attack and performed provocative tours and Talmudic rituals, while Palestinians who were forced out of the holy site tried to block the passages used by the settlers in their way to the holy site.
The invasion came despite that the first such attack on early Friday morning was met by statements of condemnation by the world, United Nations, and European Union leaders.
