16 rockets fired from Gaza after Israeli police clash with Palestinians inside Al-Aqsa mosque
Police said fireworks were "fired directly at the police officers in a life-threatening manner," inside the Al-Aqsa mosque. Hamas urged Palestinians to "defend" the holy site.
16 rockets were fired from Gaza at Israel overnight after police clashed with Palestinians inside the Al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem.
In response, IDF fighter jets struck a weapon manufacturing site and an additional weapon manufacturing and storage site belonging to the Hamas in Gaza.
According to Channel 12, the IDF believes that Islamic Jihad was behind the rocket firing.
Rockets were fired again from Gaza early in the morning while police arrested over 350 Palestinians outside the Al-Aqsa mosque.
Police used both rubber bullets and stun grenades to clear the mosque, according to Palestinian reports.
Police were seen raiding the mosque last night where masked Palestinians had barricaded themselves after evening prayer, using fireworks and rocks against police officers trying to clear the area.
Police said that fireworks were “fired directly at the police officers in a life-threatening manner.”
Rockets fired at Israel from Gaza after police and Palestinians clashes inside the Al Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem overnight. Palestinian President Abbas warned Israel against “crossing red lines.” pic.twitter.com/y8iJGPMLB5
— Jotam Confino (@mrconfino) April 5, 2023
Hamas called the police raid an “an unprecedented crime”, calling on Palestinians “to go en masse to the Al-Aqsa Mosque to defend it.”
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned that crossing any “red lines” at the holy sites could trigger a “big explosion.”
Jordan, the custodian of the Al-Aqsa mosque, called on Israel to “immediately withdraw its police and special forces from the compound.”
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he asked the security cabinet to convene, and that the time had come to launch targeted killings in Gaza instead of “bombing sand dunes and unmanned areas.”
IDF, meanwhile, said that it’s is on “high alert in all sectors,” and that it would react “strongly” to any violence coming from Gaza.
Shocked to awake to the disturbing scenes of Israeli Security forces’ raid on the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem injuring many worshippers during Ramadan. Violence only fuels more violence. The sanctity & status of the Holy sites must be respected & protected.
— The Lord (Tariq)Ahmad of Wimbledon KCMG (@tariqahmadbt) April 5, 2023
Security officials have warned in recent months that the tense situation between Palestinians and Israelis could spiral out of control during the holy month of Ramadan and Passover, which coincide once again this year.
Ramadan was official kicked off last month, while Passover is set to begin Wednesday afternoon, with thousands of Jews expected to visit the Temple Mount, where the Al-Aqsa mosque is located.
On Tuesday, the head of Shin Bet intelligence agency, Ronen Bar, said Israel had foiled over 200 terror attacks in 2023 alone.
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