GAZA/JERUSALEM: Israeli security forces clashed with Palestinians for a second consecutive night at a Jerusalem holy site hours after the arrest and removal of more than 350 people in a police raid at the compound and despite a US appeal to ease tensions.
The confrontations, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan and on the eve of the Jewish Passover holiday, triggered a cross-border exchange of fire in Gaza and stoked fears of further violence.
In the second instance, late at night, police entered the compound and tried to evacuate worshippers, using stun grenades and firing rubber bullets, said staff of the Waqf, the Jordanian-appointed Islamic organisation managing the complex.
Worshippers threw objects at police, witnesses said. The Palestinian Red Crescent said six people were injured.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said: "Israel’s raid into Al-Aqsa mosque, its assault on worshippers, is a slap to recent US efforts which tried to create calm and stability during the month of Ramadhan.”
Less than 24 hours earlier, police raided the mosque to try to remove what they said were masked agitators who locked themselves inside after attempts to remove them by dialogue failed.
The Palestinian Red Crescent said 12 Palestinians were injured in the earlier clash, including from rubber-tipped bullets and beatings. Israeli police said two officers were injured.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby voiced concern about the violence at the mosque and said it was imperative that Israelis and Palestinians de-escalate tensions.
Just before the second Al-Aqsa clash, two more rockets were fired from Gaza. The Israeli military said one fell short and the other in an open space
"We are not interested in an escalation but we are ready for any scenario," Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said earlier in the day.
"Leaders on all sides must act responsibly and refrain from steps that could escalate tensions," said the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland.
Jordan and Egypt condemned the incident, as did Turkey. Saudi Arabia said Israel's "storming" of Al-Aqsa undermined peace efforts.
The Palestinian foreign ministry said: "Israel's aggression against the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound is an egregious assault on the basic right of Palestinians to worship freely in their holy site." In Gaza, thousands rallied in protest.
With Israel still reeling from weeks of protests over Netanyahu's plans to rein in the powers of the Supreme Court, the incident added to an already fevered political atmosphere. — Agencies
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