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Clashes broke out as Israeli police entered the al-Aqsa Mosque. Photo/Illustration
Dozens of Palestinians gathered and chanted Takbir Allahu Akbar when Jewish visits were allowed again. Clashes broke out when police arrived to arrest one of the Palestinians.
Israeli police fired rubber-coated bullets into a wide open field as several Palestinians took cover inside the al-Aqsa mosque. Israeli police were later seen inside the mosque’s barricaded entrance.
Israeli police said they responded to dozens of people chanting incitement and throwing stones, and a police officer was lightly injured.
But unlike in previous confrontations, Palestinian witnesses said there was no sign of stone-throwing at first. Some of those taking shelter inside the mosque started pelting stones when police entered the mosque. The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.
Read also: Hamas Calls for Tel Aviv Bombings, New Clashes Break Out at Al Aqsa Mosque
Under an informal arrangement known as the status quo, Jews are allowed to visit the site but not pray there. In recent years, they have visited in ever-increasing numbers with Israeli police escorts and many quietly prayed, angering Palestinians as well as neighboring Jordan, which is the custodian of the site.
Palestinians have long feared that Israel is planning to take over the site or share it.
Israel says it is committed to maintaining the status quo, and accuses the Islamist militant group Hamas of inciting recent violence.
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