Thousands of worshippers were forced to dive for cover during dawn Ramadan prayers today when Israeli police used stun grenades and tear gas at the Al Aqsa mosque in occupied East Jerusalem.
Around 65,000 Muslim worshippers were praying on the last Friday prayer of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan when the Israeli police assaulted them and dropped teargas bombs from a drone, according to the Palestine news agency, Wafa. Israeli soldiers arrested and abducted at least five young worshippers and dozens of people were injured. Police also used rubber bullets and stun grenades, according to Al Jazeera.
Israeli occupation soldiers brutally assaulted Palestinians who gathered to perform Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque. pic.twitter.com/eDKqz66fvJ
— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) April 5, 2024
West Bank | The Israeli occupation forces deployed drones to fire tear gas bombs at worshippers on the grounds of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/K453krz7qN
— TIMES OF GAZA (@Timesofgaza) April 5, 2024
Worshippers were attending the last Friday dawn prayer of Ramadan, a holy time for Muslims. Observance of the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, when Muslims devote themselves to fasting, prayer and study of the Koran. The 35 acre Al Aqsa mosque compound is the third holiest site in the world for Muslims.
In recent weeks many people have been denied access to Al Aqsa due to checkpoints and travel restrictions. The minister responsible for the Israeli border police division in the West Bank and Jerusalem is Itamar Gen-Gvir, who was convicted for racism and has links with a far right terror organisation.
