Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Monday morning, firing rubber-coated bullets, tear gas, and sound bombs at Palestinian worshippers, wounding hundreds.
The latest violence comes as occupied East Jerusalem braces for a planned Jewish nationalist march through the city later on Monday. The annual Jerusalem Day Flag March marks the day East Jerusalem was occupied in 1967 and later annexed by Israel – in a move not recognised by the majority of the international community.
Imran Khan, Pakistan’s Prime Minister, has decried the Israeli storming and attack of Palestinians at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound.
“I strongly condemn Israeli Forces’ attack especially during Ramazan on Palestinians in Qibla-e-Awaal, Al-Aqsa Mosque, violating all norms of humanity & international law,” he wrote in a Twitter post.
“We reiterate support for Palestinian people,” he added. He called on the international to take immediate action “to protect Palestinians & their legitimate rights”.
The Palestinian Red Crescent said the number of people wounded has risen to 215, with 153 hospitalised and at least four in critical condition.
Six journalists suffered tear gas inhalation during their coverage of the Israeli raid on the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, local Palestinian sources said.
The journalists have been identified Usaid Amarneh, Mohammad Samreen, Liwa Abu Armila, Ethar Abu Gharbia, Ahmed Jaradat and Rami Al-Khatib.
Another journalist, Fatima Al-Bakri, was physically assaulted by Israeli forces..
The Palestinian Red Crescent said hundreds of Palestinians have been wounded, including a medic, and 50 others hospitalised.
“There are hundreds of people injured from the clashes,” the group said in a brief statement to journalists, adding its medical teams were prevented from accessing the scene of the violence.
Several videos showed tear gas canisters fired inside the Al Qibly Mosque, and stun grenades were fired on Palestinian women worshippers inside the Al Aqsa Mosque itself.
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