For the second consecutive day, the occupation forces raid Al-Aqsa Mosque and surround the worshippers inside
For the second consecutive day, occupation Special Forces raided Al-Aqsa Mosque in an attempt to impose new fait accompli in Al-Aqsa during the month of Ramadan and especially in the last ten days of it.
Wadi Hilweh Information Center was informed that the occupation Special Forces raided Al-Aqsa Mosque to secure the settlers’ break-in concurrently with the presence of dozens of Muslim worshippers in the courtyards and inside Al-Qibali Mosque. It is known that he police usually close Dung Gate during the last ten days of Ramadan (when Muslims stay and sleep in Al-Aqsa) but the police insisted on keeping Dung Gate open yesterday and today to allow settlers to break into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque which provoked the feelings of Muslim worshippers at Al-Aqsa. The Islamic Awqaf department asked the police not to open Dung Gate but they refused and allowed settlers to break into the Mosque through this gate.
Witnesses explained that occupation forces (Special Forces, police, intelligence and borders control) were deployed into Al-Aqsa courtyards after closing the gates of Al-Qibali Mosque with chains and surrounded the worshippers inside.
Witnesses added that the forces evacuated worshippers present in the courtyards by force especially in the courtyard across from Al-Qibali Mosque.
Worshippers were injured by rubber bullets and suffocated due to heavy firing of tear gas canisters during clashes that broke out in Al-Aqsa courtyards after dozens of settlers broke-in.
The forces attacked the worshippers with rubber bullets, tear gas and sound grenades concurrently while protecting 90 settlers as they broke into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Witnesses explained that a group of young men were injured by rubber bullets and several others suffocated due to pepper gas.
According to Al-Aqsa clinics, more than 35 worshippers were injured by rubber bullets including injuries in the head, chest, abdominal, shoulders and limbs and many others suffocated and were bruised.
Witnesses also explained that the forces assaulted journalists inside Al-Aqsa courtyards (Ahmad Jaradat and Asid Amarneh) and also assaulted the employees of the Islamic Awqaf department (Firas Dibs and Rami Khatib). The forces along with settlers also verbally insulted Al-Aqsa guards; the police forced the guards to leave the area where settlers’ groups were present.
