Dozens of Palestinians injured in latest al-Aqsa clashes over Israeli restrictions

Israeli security forces hold a position as Palestinian worshippers gather to pray outside the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied Old City of Jerusalem al-Quds on July 25, 2017. (Photos by AFP)

Dozens of Palestinians have been injured as Israeli forces attack protesters gathered outside the main entrance to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem al-Quds.

The latest round of violence erupted on Tuesday as Israeli troops resorted to force in order to disperse Palestinians demonstrating against the Tel Aviv regime’s restrictive measures at the compound. 

According to local reports, several reporters and a young child were among those injured.

On Tuesday morning, Israeli authorities removed metal detectors installed at the Bab al-Asbat and Bab al-Nather entrances of al-Aqsa Mosque compound, but kept surveillance cameras to monitor Muslim worshipers.

Palestinian officials have rejected Israel’s moves in the occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds, saying Tel Aviv should lift all restrictions on the compound.

Israeli authorities installed metal detectors, turnstiles, and additional security cameras in the compound following a deadly shooting attack more than a week ago.

‘Security coordination with Israel remains frozen’

Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has stressed that security coordination with the Tel Aviv regime will continue to be halted despite Israel’s removal of the metal detectors.

“All new Israeli measures put in place since July 14 must be removed so things can go back to normal in Jerusalem and we can resume our work regarding bilateral relations,” he said.

Coordination meetings between Israeli and Palestinian officials was initially halted on Sunday over Israel’s continuation of the restrictive measures.
 

‘Israeli soldiers polluting al-Aqsa’ 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Muslims from around the globe should help protecting the al-Aqsa mosque, which Israeli soldiers are “carelessly polluting” while “easily spilling blood.”

This picture taken and released on July 25, 2017 by Turkey's Presidential Press Service shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressing the AK Party's group meeting at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) in Ankara. 

“From here I call upon all Muslims. Those who are able to should visit al-Aqsa… Those who cannot visit Al-Aqsa should send aid to our brothers there,” he said.  

He added that the restrictive measures should be immediately removed and the former status quo be restored.

“When Israeli soldiers carelessly pollute the grounds of Al-Aqsa with their combat boots by using simple issues as a pretext and then easily spill blood there, the reason [they are able to do that] is we [Muslims] have not done enough to stake our claim over Jerusalem," he added.    

The occupied Palestinian territories have witnessed new tensions ever since Israeli forces introduced restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem al-Quds in August 2015.

More than 300 Palestinians have lost their lives at the hands of Israeli forces in tensions since the beginning of October 2015.

The Tel Aviv regime has tried to change the demographic makeup of Jerusalem al-Quds over the past decades by constructing settlements, destroying historical sites and expelling the local Palestinian population. Palestinians say the Israeli measures are aimed at paving the way for the Judaization of the city.