Clashes between police and worshipers at the scene were reported around 6:30 a.m., with police entering the compound and clashing with people trapped inside. The police reported in its announcement that around 4 dawn, dozens of young people began to take a course in the region, holding the flags of both the Palestinian organization for release and the Hamas terrorist group that governs Gaza. Protesters hurled stones and fireworks as they piled stones and other objects to prepare for further clashes, according to police. Police said they were waiting for the morning prayers to end before entering Mount Temple to disperse the rioters and that some of them threw stones at the West Wall below. Get the Times of Israel Daily E-mail and never miss our top stories By registering, you agree to the terms According to police, some Palestinians entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque, where they threw stones at the officers. The police announcement reported that the riots prevented the prayers in the mosque and “harrowing a large number of Muslims” who were trying to worship there. Police said three police officers were slightly injured by stones, two of whom needed medical attention. The Palestinian Red Crescent emergency team said 67 people were injured in the clashes. Police released a video of the scene. The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement stating that the officers did not enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam. The Temple Mount is the holiest place in Judaism. “Massifers throw stones and fireworks, desecrating the Al-Aqsa Mosque,” he said. “Contrary to the false reports, the police forces did NOT enter the mosque.” Maskers throw stones and fireworks, desecrating the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Contrary to false reports, police forces did NOT enter the mosque. pic.twitter.com/IaXnXbcDts – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel (@IsraelMFA) April 15, 2022 Fears of violence were already high before the clashes on Friday morning. This Friday is the second during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the first night of the weekly Jewish Passover and Good Friday, when Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. At the same time, a series of deadly terrorist attacks in Israel in recent weeks have killed 14 people and left Israel shivering. The attacks provoked retaliation from Israeli security forces across the West Bank, including arrests that have turned violent. Hamas called for an escalation against Israel on Thursday and urged “hundreds of thousands” to attend Friday prayers in Jerusalem, further fueling fears of conflict. Thousands of police and hundreds of soldiers have been sent to the capital to increase security on the streets and in crowded places. Security forces have warned of further attacks and are working to bridge the gap between Israel and the West Bank. Palestinians burn tires as they block roads leading to Joseph’s tomb near the Balata refugee camp in the West Bank city of Nablus on April 11, 2022. (Nasser Ishtayeh / Flash90) Border Police Chief of Operations Oded Aflalo told Ynet on Thursday that the force’s troops were on high alert. “Today is the day we are at our peak for preparations before the night of Center, combined with prayers on Friday for Ramadan,” he said, referring to the traditional dinner on the first night of Easter. “All possible scenarios are on the table, from the level of a threatening person to a terrorist group from a terrorist organization.” He said border police were working to find Palestinians who were already in Israel illegally. A senior police official told Ynet that additional officers would be guarding train stations and bus stops, which are expected to be packed with travelers and soldiers returning home from the base. The police official also said that there will be increased security in hotels and other places that will host large Seder dinners. The Palestinian Authority’s security forces are cooperating with their Israeli counterparts and most of the Palestinian people are not expected to take to the streets, Channel 12 reported. IDF soldiers appear to be operating in the West Bank on April 13, 2022. (Israeli Defense) A senior security official told Channel 12 that an outbreak of violence could lead Israel to another round of fighting in Gaza, such as last year ‘s war with Hamas. “If there is an escalation tomorrow and there are casualties, we can get to Operation Guardian of the Walls, round two,” he said, referring to the 2021 conflict. Ramadan is usually a period of high intensity, as tens of thousands of worshipers, including many Palestinians in the West Bank, attend services at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, located at the top of the Temple Mount complex. The site is the holiest part of Judaism and the mosque is the third holiest of Islam. The location is the emotional focus of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and tensions there could easily lead to wider fires. Hamas and other Gaza-based terrorist groups have repeatedly referred to the site of the blaze as a red line. Police actions to suppress the riots there last year helped firing the 11-day war in Gaza in May. Palestinians attend evening prayers at the Temple Mount, home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City on April 8, 2022, the first Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. (Ahmad Gharabli / AFP) This week, a group of Jewish extremists sparked tensions by publicly encouraging ritual sacrifices for Easter on Temple Mount. Jews are allowed to visit the band, but not to pray or perform religious rites, as part of a sensitive status quo. The extremist group Returning to the Mount, which supports the construction of a third Jewish temple on the site that once housed the two biblical temples, announced on Facebook on Monday that it would offer a cash prize to those who manage to sacrifice a lamb. the Temple Mount and whoever is arrested they try to do so. A small group of Jewish extremists have occasionally sought to carry out the biblical command for the Passover sacrifice on the Temple Mount. Police regularly arrest the perpetrators, who do not appear to have been a victim at the scene in recent years. This year ‘s campaign of ambitious sacrifices has gained traction in the Palestinian and Arab media following the posting on social media, which provoked threats from Hamas and condemnation from Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. The Israeli authorities have promised to stop all attempts to transfer sacrifices to the group, as they have done in previous years. On Thursday, Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza issued a joint statement: “We declare a general mobilization in all places where our people are. We call on the masses to come out in hundreds of thousands to protect our nation and our mosque. “ Yahya Sinwar, leader of the Hamas terrorist group, hosts a meeting with members of the Palestinian faction at the office of the Hamas president in Gaza City on April 13, 2022. (Attia Muhammed / Flash90) “We are calling on our people to parade and come out in hundreds of thousands to offer Friday prayers in Al Aqsa,” the groups said. Six Jews were arrested Thursday morning after police suspected they were planning to sacrifice a goat on Temple Mount before Easter. Israel has sent messages to Hamas that the Israeli authorities will not allow Jewish extremists to make sacrifices on the Temple Mount, Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri told Hamas media. Al-Aruri said Hamas did not trust Israel’s assurances and that the terrorist group was preparing to respond to attempts to “infect al-Aqsa”. Tens of thousands were already expected to attend Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa. Most of Ramadan pilgrims will cross into Israel without permission, as part of a policy to relax the usually stern Israeli restrictions on the Palestinian holiday movement. Palestinian participation in the West Bank is limited to women, children and men over the age of 50, according to orders from the Ministry of Defense issued earlier this month. The acceptance of thousands of Palestinians poses a clear threat to Israel’s security, but the crackdown on worshipers during Ramadan could spark an outbreak of violence. In addition to holiday friction, Israeli troops have been carrying out extensive raids in the West Bank following Israel’s deadliest terror outbreak in years. The raids led to violent demonstrations in many West Bank communities. At least 16 Palestinians have been killed in clashes with the Israeli army in the past two weeks alone, including a 17-year-old who died Friday morning from injuries sustained the previous day. A total of 18 suspects have been arrested in the West Bank over the past two days, the IDF said on Thursday.
