ISRAELI SOLDIERS ARRESTS 2 PALESTINIANS AND IMPOSES BLOCKADE ON AL-AQSA MOSQUE
Washington, 20 Jumadil Akhir 1435/20 April 2014 (MINA) – Israeli occupation Forces arrested on Sunday at dawn tow Palestinians near al-Aqsa mosque and imposed some strict procedures on the entry of the Palestinian worshipers to Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Local sources said that the IOF arrested two Palestinians youth from the old town while they were praying in al-Aqsa mosque .
They reported that dozens of Israeli occupation polices prevented worshipers from entering al-Alaqsa through Bab al-Maghrabeh Gate and Hatta Gate, forcing them to pray at streets.
Palestinian prayers cried loudly ” God is Great” when clashes broke in with the IOF as Feiglin, Knesset Member, stormed al-Aqsa courtyards. Al Ray reported s quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).
Dozens of worshipers were hurt Wednesday morning in fierce clashes with Israeli forces who stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound via the Moroccan and Chain gates.
Witnesses told that Israeli soldiers and police officers broke into the compound and deployed in the southern quarter firing stun grenades and rubber-coated bullets at worshipers.
Director of al-Aqsa Mosque Sheikh Azam al-Kahtib told that “about 1,000 Israeli officers stormed the compound.” He highlighted that Israeli officers used live ammunition.
Special forces deployed at the main gates since dawn prayer, witnesses said, denying Palestinian worshipers entry to the compound.
Employees of the ministry of endowment and students who attend schools inside the compound were also denied entry. Only security guards were allowed in addition to men over 65 years old. Several people performed dawn prayer in the alleys near the gates.
About 100 Muslim worshipers have decided to stay inside the compound day and night after right-wing Jewish organizations urged Jews to flock to the compound which they believe is the site of a former temple and slaughter their Passover sacrifices inside.
Hundreds of Palestinian youths performed Friday prayers on the streets outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound after Israeli police barred Muslim worshippers from entering the holy site.
Hundreds of Israeli policemen were deployed in the vicinity of the compound, erecting barricades at the entries of the Old City of Al-Quds (occupied East Jerusalem) and denying access to people under 50, a reporter at the scene said.
Earlier in the day, Israeli police said they would only allow men over 50 and holders of blue ID cards (issued to residents of Al-Quds and Israel) into the compound, Israeli Channel 7 reported.(T/P04/P03)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
