Clashes between Israeli Police and Palestinians Break Out Again at Al-Aqsa, President Abbas's Spokesperson: A Slap for United States Efforts

Damage to Al Aqsa Mosque was caused by an Israeli police attack. (Twitter @Mogaza)

JAKARTA - Israeli police clashed with Palestinians at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque for the second time on Wednesday, witnesses said, hours after the arrest and transfer of more than 350 people in a police raid on the compound, despite an American call. United States (US) to defuse tensions.

The confrontations, which took place during the holy month of Ramadan and ahead of the Jewish holiday of Passover, sparked cross-border gun battles in Gaza, raising fears of further violence.

In the second incident late at night, police entered the compound and tried to evacuate worshippers, using stun grenades and firing rubber bullets, said staff of Wakaf, the Islamic organization appointed by Jordan to manage the complex.

The Waqf described the police action as a "flagrant attack on the identity and function of the mosque as a place of worship for Muslims."

Worshipers threw objects at police, witnesses said. The Palestinian Red Crescent said six people were injured.

In a statement, police said dozens of young people brought rocks and firecrackers into the mosque and tried to barricade themselves inside. However, the Waqf said that police entered the mosque before the prayers had finished.

Meanwhile, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said: "The Israeli raid on Al-Aqsa mosque, its attack on worshipers, is a slap in the face for the recent efforts of the United States of America trying to establish calm and stability during the Month of Ramadan. ,” reported Reuters April 6.

Less than 24 hours earlier, police stormed the mosque to try to expel what they said were masked agitators, who had locked themselves inside after attempts to expel them through dialogue failed.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said 12 Palestinians were injured in previous clashes, including rubber bullets and beatings. Israeli police said two officers were injured.

"Israel's aggression against the Al-Aqsa Mosque Complex is a terrible attack on the basic right of Palestinians to worship freely in their holy place," the Palestinian foreign ministry said.

Separately, White House national security spokesman John Kirby voiced concern over the mosque violence and said it was "important" for Israelis and Palestinians to defuse tensions.

Just before the second Al-Aqsa clash, two rockets were fired from Gaza. The Israeli military said one rocket fell and another fell in an open area.

"We are not interested in an escalation but, we are ready for any scenario," said Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari.

The Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City is the third holiest site for Muslims where tens of thousands of people pray during the Muslim month of Ramadan. It is also the holiest site in Judaism, being revered as the Temple Mount, the remains of two Jewish temples in the Bible.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the situation on "extremists" who barricaded themselves inside the mosque with guns, rocks, and fireworks.

"Israel is committed to defending freedom of worship, free access to all religions and the status quo on the Temple Mount and will not allow violent extremists to change that," he said in a statement.

Under a longstanding "status quo" arrangement that governs the compound, non-Muslims can visit but only Muslims can worship. In recent times, how many Jewish visitors have increasingly worshiped there despite these regulations.