Tens of thousands of people gathered for prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday afternoon, despite an Israeli raid earlier in the day that left scores injured.
At least 75 Palestinians were injured when Israeli security forces stormed the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on Friday morning, Palestinian medics said, in the latest attack by Israel on the Muslim holy site during the month of Ramadan.
According to the Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance service, 14 Palestinians were taken to the hospital, and three had serious injuries.
Witnesses said police entered the compound after the morning prayers and fired rubber bullets and stun grenades at a crowd of about 200 Palestinians, some of whom threw rocks.
Police also fired rubber bullets from a close range at a group of journalists documenting the clashes, the witnesses said. One photographer, Ali Yassin, was shot in the throat.
Jewish extremists who wish to build a temple at the site of the mosque, backed by Israeli security forces, have stormed the Al-Aqsa courtyard several times over the past week, leading to daily clashes.
Muslims attend the mosque in increasing numbers during the final 10 days of Ramadan, and an Israeli official said that Jews will be prevented from entering the site at this time.
However, Palestinians accuse Israel of attacking worshippers and allowing Jewish extremists to enter the mosque compound on a regular basis.
The New Arab is providing live updates of what's been happening on the ground and additional analysis.
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Israeli forces fire tear gas, rubber bullets at demonstrators in Kafr Qaddoum
Israeli soldiers fired tear gas and rubber-coated metal bullets at Palestinians in the occupied West Bank town of Kafr Qaddoum who demonstrated against Israeli raids on Al-Aqsa, local sources have told The New Arab's Arabic-language sister site.
Kafr Qaddoum locals protest weekly to voice their anger over Israeli settler activity in the area, but had dedicated Friday's march to Al-Aqsa.
Dozens injured as Israeli forces fire tear gas
Dozens of people were injured following prayers in the afternoon as Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinian worshippers in the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard, The New Arab's Arabic-language service reported.
Massive crowds attend Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa
"Tens of thousands" of people congregated in front of Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers, the Palestinian Authority's news agency Wafa reported.
The Department of Islamic Endowments said as many as 150,000 people attended the prayer.
Images from the scene show a crowd of several hundreds of worshippers.
The massive crowds came despite a heavy Israeli security force presence around the mosque.
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At least 50 people en route to Al-Aqsa for the Friday prayers were arrested as they tried to cross the Qalandia checkpoint on the outskirts of Jerusalem, The New Arab's Arabic-language sister site reported.
Israelis arrest nine Palestinians across Jerusalem: state media
Israeli security forces stormed neighbourhoods in occupied East Jerusalem on Friday to arrest nine Palestinians, the Palestinian Authority's news agency has said.
Israeli forces stormed the neighbourhoods of Al-Issawiya, Jabal Al-Mukaber and Ras Al-Amoud on Friday morning to make the arrests, WAFA reported.
Israel calls up reservists after latest Al-Aqsa raid
Israel has declared a state of alert and called up reservists from its border guard following the assault on the Al-Aqsa Mosque this morning, according to the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom.
Israeli forces pull back from mosque, still present at gates
Israeli forces withdrew from the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Friday morning after firing rubber bullets and tear gas at Palestinians, injuring 75 people. The New Arab's Arabic-language service reported that they were still deployed in force outside all the gates of the mosque, however.
The mosque compound is currently being cleaned following the fire which broke out there earlier this morning as a result of Israeli security forces firing tear gas.
Palestinian injured in Israeli raid on Jenin dies
A young Palestinian man died on Friday in Jenin from injuries sustained last week when Israeli settlers and security forces stormed the village of Yamoun in the northern West Bank.
Local sources told The New Arab's Arabic-language service that 20-year-old Lotfi Labadi died at the Ibn Sina hospital in Jenin.
Mourners chanted angry slogans at his funeral procession, which started at the hospital.
Journalists, medics among injured in Friday's Al-Aqsa raid
Three photojournalists and seven medics were among the 75 people who were injured on Friday when Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
They include Ali Yassin, a photographer who was shot in the throat with a rubber bullet.
Israeli tear gas grenade fire sets Al-Aqsa tree alight
A tree caught fire in the Al-Aqsa Mosque grounds after Israeli security forces fired tear gas grenades at worshippers. It was brought under control at around 11 am.
تغطية صحفية: "اندلاع حريق بالأشجار بفعل قنابل الغاز التي أطلقتها قوات الاحتلال خلال المواجهات المستمرة بباحات المسجد الأقصى". pic.twitter.com/pmca0reBmN
— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) April 22, 2022
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