The Israeli forces raid Al-Aqsa and clashes in its courtyards
Special Forces broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque on Wednesday morning and attacked the worshippers using sound grenades, rubber bullets and pepper gas. Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that the Special Forces broke into Al-Aqsa at 7:40 a.m. and randomly fired sound grenades and sprayed pepper gas towards the Marabouts present in the courtyards and also surrounded the young men who were sleeping inside Al-Qibli Mosque since the night before. The forces used force to empty the courtyards of Al-Qibli Mosque and Al-Marwani Mosque and the young men responded by throwing stones towards the Israeli forces. Witnesses said that the occupation forces allowed the settlers to break into Al-Aqsa while the Marabouts were chanting “God is Great”. Meanwhile, the forces prevented men under the age of 50 from entering Al-Aqsa and prevented all women and Al-Aqsa students from entering. The Information Center was also informed that the siege on Al-Aqsa started since the beginning of the Dawn Prayer as dozens of worshippers were denied entrance resulting in the breakout of clashes using hands near Hutta Gate injuring several young men including some Turks; note that the police sprayed pepper gas on the worshippers’ faces. Doctor Ziad Sroor from Al-Aqsa clinic said that five worshippers suffered severe injuries in their heads after the occupation forces broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque. He explained that the forces used “silenced” weapons during their break-in. The Center was also informed that the forces withdrew from Al-Aqsa at 9:15 a.m. and nearly 265 extremists in the form of groups broke into Al-Aqsa during the two hours. One of the groups performed dances near Al-Silsileh Gate resulting in the breakout of clashes using hands and the worshippers and Al-Awqaf employees were assaulted and severely beaten.
