At Least 42 Palestinians Injured Amid Clashes in Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, Red Crescent Says

Tensions around Jerusalem's Temple Mount have been escalating over the past weeks, as Muslims have accused Israeli authorities of blocking access to the site during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

At least 42 people were injured in recent clashes near Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported on Friday, noting that 22 of those had injuries requiring hospitalisation.

Red Crescent expects more clashes to occur in Jerusalem and the West Bank today, the last Friday of Ramadan.

Israeli police said that order has been restored after morning clashes, and the worshipers can now enter Temple Mount freely.

According to to AFP, Israeli police said their officers entered the compound after "rioters" threw stones and fireworks in the area, including down towards the Western Wall, the sacred Jewish site below the mosque.

Palestinian demonstrators clash with Israeli police at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound on April 15, 2022.

© AFP 2023 / AHMAD GHARABLI

Local Muslims have been hitting the area with mass protests in the latest development of a general flare-up in tensions: Israel has recently experienced a series of gruesome terror attacks, which have resulted in major police operations in the West Bank.

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, more than 340 Palestinians were injured last week alone, after Israeli police dispersed crowds of Muslims who were protesting in Jerusalem.

The row over the status of the Temple Mount has been going on for a long time, since it is considered a holy site both in Judaism and Islam. Palestinians have repeatedly alleged that the Jewish authorities have been hindering access to the Al-Aqsa mosque - particularly by allowing large numbers of Jewish visitors into the area under police escort.