Police clash at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan prayers
The Israeli police entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and clashed with worshippers, deploying tear gas and flashbang devices to clear hundreds who were praying at the time. The confrontation unfolded inside and at the entrance of the sacred site during a Ramadan night of prayer.
Palestinian broadcaster Maan reported that Muslims observing Ramadan were gathered inside the mosque on Tuesday night, with men, women, children, and the elderly among the faithful. Police closed the doors at around 22:00 local time to prevent entry and dispersal of the crowd.
According to Maan, security forces entered the building shortly thereafter. Dozens were reported injured by rubber bullets, pepper spray, and flash explosions, and medical teams faced obstacles in providing treatment to those affected.
Israeli police sources cited by the Jerusalem Post stated that women and children were evacuated first, followed by clashes with the men left inside. The report described rocks and fireworks as part of the violence observed during the incident.
Police accounts, as presented by the same media outlet, claimed that several dozen young men remained in one of the mosque rooms from early evening with the intent to commit acts of violence. Authorities said they attempted a peaceful evacuation before the men resisted, and they noted an officer sustained injuries during the unrest.
Hamas condemns the attacks
Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas political leadership, condemned the events as an unprecedented crime and warned of consequences. He called on Palestinians and Israelis alike to assume responsibility for the recent developments. Haniyeh also urged Palestinians in the West Bank to travel to Jerusalem to protect the holy site, according to a statement reported by Felesteen.
Tension during Ramadan
On Sunday, April 26, security forces carried out a similar operation, evacuating worshippers who were praying at the center of Ramadan amid concerns of potential attacks against Jewish visitors the following morning. The Jerusalem Post cited Israeli police in noting that at least two Palestinians were detained during that operation late at night.
The Palestinian Authority responded to the Israeli actions, condemning what it described as ongoing provocations and assaults on worshippers near Al Haram al-Sharif, the Noble Sanctuary. It criticized Israel for failing to maintain calm in Jerusalem and accused the occupying power of deliberately provoking Muslim worshippers during Ramadan and beyond, emphasizing that religious observance continues amid the tense atmosphere.
Al-Aqsa Mosque remains a focal point in Jerusalem during Ramadan. The holy site routinely draws large congregations, and authorities have deployed significant security measures around the area during the holy month and in the weeks surrounding it.
The Temple Mount, known to Jews as the Western Wall and to Muslims as the site of the Holy Mosque, lies at the heart of East Jerusalem’s religious landscape. Debates around control and protection of the site contribute to broader tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly during periods of heightened religious observance.
Hamas launches rockets from Gaza
In response to the Israeli operation at Al-Aqsa, the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, fired a number of rockets from the Gaza Strip toward Israeli territory. Anti-aircraft sirens sounded in the southern city of Sderot and along the Gaza border as the Israel Defense Forces tracked several launches. The IDF later reported that most of the rockets were intercepted by air defenses, with one report suggesting a potential impact on a factory according to some outlets.