Jewish settlers backed by military troops stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Wednesday, renewing raids that began three days ago.
Several Palestinians managed to stay up throughout the night on Tuesday, at the third most holy site for Muslims, defying Israeli threats to detain them, although Israeli forces stationed at the mosque’s main gates are continuing to prevent women and young men from entering the site.
Several Palestinians have been wounded and others detained since the raids started.
Both Israelis and Palestinians lay claim to the city as their capital, though Israel annexed the holy city to its authority in 1980.
Hardline Jewish groups have called for the mosque to be demolished, claiming it is the site of an ancient Jewish temple. Palestinian authorities have occasionally warned of Israeli excavations that threaten the mosque’s structure.
Edited translation from MENA
