Al-Aqsa clashes, Gaza rockets resume for second night in a row as tense Passover begins

Seven rockets were fired from Gaza at Israel on Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning while Police and Palestinians clashed at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem for the second night in a row. 

The rockets didn’t cause any casualties and fell in open areas. Israel’s recently fired Defence Minister, who still hasn’t been officially dismissed, warned on Wednesday that Israel “will hit anyone who tries to harm us, and exact a heavy price that will make them regret any threats against Israeli citizens or IDF troops.”

Meanwhile Police said that dozens of “law-breaking juveniles, some of them masked, threw fireworks and stones into the Al Aqsa Mosque with the aim of disrupting the order, while desecrating the Mosque.”

Police said some of the rioters again tried to barricade themselves inside the Mosque, preventing other worshipers from leaving.

“The lawbreakers started shouting incitement, shooting fireworks, and throwing objects at the Muslim worshipers and at the police officers who were operating on the spot,” Police said.

Haaretz quoted Hamas Deputy Chief Saleh al-Arouri saying that “the Israeli aggression against worshipers in Al-Aqsais is a heinous crime. The Palestinian people and the resistance forces will respond with all their might. We call on all of our people… to respond forcefully and by all responsible means, to burn the ground under the feet of the occupation.”

As the situation in Gaza and East Jerusalem continues to escalate, Israeli media reported that the UN Security Council was set to convene on Thursday to discuss developments.

Over 350 Palestinians were arrested on Wednesday after similar riots took place at the Al-Aqse Mosque. While Palestinians were seen firing fireworks and throwing stones at the Police, violent videos emerged of Police officers beating Palestinians inside the Mosque.

The White House issued a statement on Wednesday saying it was “extremely” concerned about the situation, while the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland said he was “appalled by the images of violence” inside the mosque.

“I am disturbed by the apparent beating of Palestinians by Israeli security forces and the large number of arrests. I also strongly reject the stockpiling and use of fireworks and rocks by Palestinians inside the mosque,” Wennesland added.

The Arab League also condemned Israel for clashing with Palestinians inside the Mosque, while the United Arab Emirates issued a rare public rebuke of Palestinians, saying “worshipers should not barricade themselves inside the mosque and places of worship with weapons and explosives.”

16 rockets were fired from Gaza at Israel early Wednesday morning, causing Israeli fighter jets to strike Hamas targets in Gaza.