Israeli forces storm Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque, arresting hundreds of Palestinian worshipers

[Eugene]

Also: Violence resumes at Jerusalem holy site for 2nd night (Associated Press)

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Source: CBS News

Israeli forces storm Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque, arresting hundreds of Palestinian worshipers

BY HALEY OTT
UPDATED ON: APRIL 5, 2023 / 7:03 PM / CBS NEWS

Violence broke out at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City overnight after Israeli police stormed the sensitive compound, fueling fear that already-high tension in the heart of the Middle East could erupt again into conflict during a sensitive holiday season.

Al-Aqsa is one of the holiest sites in Islam and shares a hilltop with the Temple Mount, the holiest site for Jews. Palestinians consider the site a national symbol, and the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli security forces was a major catalyst for 11 days of violent clashes in 2021.

In response to the raid, a series of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip, which is run by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Israel then said it had conducted airstrikes targeting Hamas weapons storage and manufacturing sites.

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Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-jerusalem-al-aqsa-mosque-violence-israeli-arrests-palestinians/

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Source: Associated Press

Violence resumes at Jerusalem holy site for 2nd night

By ISABEL DEBRE and FARES AKRAM
April 5, 2023

JERUSALEM (AP) — Violence resumed for a second straight night in Jerusalem Wednesday when Palestinian worshippers barricaded themselves inside Al-Aqsa Mosque at the Old City’s sensitive compound and Israeli police used force to take dozens of worshippers out.

The tension in Jerusalem also prompted rocket fire from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night.

The fighting, which comes as Muslims mark the holy month of Ramadan and Jews began Passover, raised fears of a wider conflagration.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that at least six people were injured in the latest violence. The Islamic Waqf authorities, which manages the compound, said police fired stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-al-aqsa-fighting-ae1f960552300f6e7c72b3fdad4e3d73