Palestinian protesters clashed today (May 5) with Israeli security forces at the al-Aqsa mosque compound or Temple Mount in Jerusalem as the holy site reopened to Jewish visitors.

The flashpoint compound was closed to Jews on April 21 until the end of Ramadan, as part of a longstanding policy of barring non-Muslims from the site for the final days of the Muslim holy month.

Palestinians blamed the arrival of Israeli settlers for the clashes while Israeli police said the protesters were "yelling incitement” and hurling rocks.

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: Jerusalem- 05 May 2022. Palestinian protesters clash with the Israeli security forces at the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem

STORYLINE:

Israeli police today cracked down on Palestinians inside Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as settler intrusions resumed, according to WAFA correspondent.

She said that heavily-armed police violently dispersed Palestinian worshippers protesting renewed settler intrusions into the flashpoint site, opening tear gas canisters and rubber-coated steel bullets towards them and resulting in dozens of injuries, mostly from tear gas.

The violent confrontations erupted as police allowed dozens of settlers to barge their way into the courtyards of the site from the direction of the Moroccan Gate, known in Arabic as Bab al-Maghariba, in celebration of what they call Israel’s “Independence Day”, which saw the ethnic cleansing of 750,000 to one million indigenous Palestinians 74 years ago and turning them into refugees to establish a Jewish-majority state in Palestine.

The settlers waved the Israeli flag at Alqatanin Gate, located on the western side of the site, and sang Israel’s national anthem.

Police scuffled with Palestinians barricading themselves within the site and attempted to force them, including journalists, out of the courtyards to make room for the intruders.

They also sealed off the Qibli prayer area within the mosque compound, denying worshippers access to it and caused damage to 800-year-old Salah Al-Din Minbar (pulpit), located inside the prayer area.

Palestinians mobilized to defend the site in anticipation of the renewed settler intrusions following calls by Israeli Prime Minister Baftali Bennett for settlers to tour the site on Israel’s “Independence Day”.

Police said Al-Aqsa would be open to the settlers from 7:00 to 11:00 in the morning and from 1:30 to 2:30 in the afternoon.

Footage by APAwire