Clashes continue in al-Aqsa Mosque for the second consecutive day

Clashes continued for the second day in a row at Al-Aqsa Mosque gates between Palestinian worshipers and Israeli police who prevented the worshipers’ access to the holy mosque.

Local sources said that Israeli forces stationed at al-Aqsa gates prevented Palestinian worshipers from entering into the Mosque, using pepper spray and batons against the protesters. Several of the worshipers were injured during the scuffle including children and women while a state of tension prevailed in the area.

In the meantime, Israeli forces continued to prevent Palestinian students’ access to their religious school in al-Aqsa Mosque square while trying to expel them from Hutta gate.

The clashes erupted when occupation forces closed al-Aqsa Mosque gates as a prelude to implement a large settlers’ break-in to mark Purim which is considered an embodiment of Israeli scheme to divide al-Aqsa Mosque temporally.

Palestinian worshipers have performed today dawn prayers in the Old City streets near al-Aqsa Mosque gates due to the Israeli ban on the entry of those who are under 50 years old.

Israeli forces have been stationed at the gates of the Al-Aqsa compound since the early morning hours, imposing restrictions on the entry of Palestinians into the compound, including students and workers in the compound, local sources said, noting that al-Aqsa Mosque is still subjected to military siege.

Israeli settlers have stormed al-Aqsa Mosque this morning under Israeli forces protection while preventing worshipers under 50 years old from praying in the Mosque for security pretexts.

Israeli policemen have intensified their presence in occupied Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque gates where altercations took place after preventing worshipers’ access to the Mosque.