JEWISH EXTREMISTS AND ZIONIST SOLDIERS STORM THE AQSA MOSQUE

Al-Quds (Jerusalem), 29 Shawal 1434/5 September 2013 (MINA) – Clashes broke out between Palestinians and Israeli occupation forces (IOF) after Jewish extremists stormed the Al-Aqsa mosque compound on Wednesday, locals said.

Eyewitnesses said that a group of around 40 Israeli extremists have stormed the compound and started of practicing provocative acts, what pushed a group of angry Palestinian youths of throwing stones at them.

Israeli occupation forces responded by storming the mosque compound and spraying protestors with pepper spray, lightly injuring three women.

Five people were detained by Israeli forces and scuffles broke out between Palestinians and police guarding the gates leading to the mosque.

Israeli police closed the gates leading to the mosque and prevented worshipers under 50 from entering.

Sheikh Azzam al-Khatib, head of endowment and affairs at al-Aqsa Mosque, said that clashes took place around the mosque.

Local Palestinians say they expect more visits to the mosque compound by Israeli rightists due to the start of the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah.

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For his role in defending the Aqsa Mosque and confronting any Israeli attempts of storming it , Israeli occupation has detained the head of the Islamic Movement in the occupied territories Sheikh Raed Salah yesterday.

Israeli Magistrate’s Court in Jerusalem ordered Sheikh Raed Salah to be released on NIS 50,000 bail and on condition that he stay at least 30 km. away from the mosque for a period of 30 days.

As of Tuesday night Salah has refused to agree to the conditions and remained in jail. If he continues to refuse the conditions, he’ll stay in custody overnight and reappear in court in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

Israeli police arrested Salah, the head of the Islamic Movement’s northern branch, on Tuesday “on suspicion of incitement”.

Jewish Fanatics Provoke Muslim Worshippers at al-Aqsa

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Muslims in Jewish fanatics who have declared openly their intention to turn al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City into a Jewish shrine Wednesday provoked Muslim worshippers at the mosque when they entered the walled compound in large numbers and under police protection, according to Muslim officials.

They said the fanatics were allowed to freely walk the yards of the Muslim holy place at a time police prevented hundreds of Muslims, mainly those below 50 years of age, and students whose schools are inside the compound, from entering it.

Officials said the few Palestinians who were able to enter the compound threw rocks at the fanatics and tried to push them out.

Police intervened in large numbers and attacked the Palestinians causing some injuries, mainly among elderly women present inside the mosque who were sprayed with pepper.

Palestinians tried to keep a vigil inside the mosque since Tuesday night to prevent the Jewish fanatics from taking the place over as they celebrate the Jewish New Year.

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However, police evacuated most of the Muslims from inside the compound and closed its gates to prevent worshippers from entering it. Police even prevented Muslim officials of the Waqf, the department in charge of Muslim affairs and property in Jerusalem, from reaching their offices inside the compound.

As a result, people clashed with police outside the gates to al-Aqsa compound and in the allies of the Old City, said witnesses.

Police fired rubber-coated metal bullets at stone throwers injuring one 11-year-old child in the shoulder.

Waqf director Azzam Khatib condemned the Israeli police measures against Muslims and said the police should have closed the compound to the Jewish fanatics who have openly declared their intention to take over the Muslim holy place. (T/P02/E1)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)