Tensions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem are reported to be on the rise during the holy month of Ramadan. Israel claims that the deployment of thousands of police officers is aimed at curbing acts of resistance from Israeli citizens at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“We have made preparations before the Friday prayer event with (deploying) more police personnel. Thousands of them will be stationed in the Temple Mount area (Al-Aqsa compound),” said Israeli Police spokesperson Mirit ben Mayor to AFP.
She added that hundreds of police officers have been deployed in the Old City of Jerusalem, an area occupied by Israel since the beginning of Ramadan on Monday (11/3).
Ben Mayor further explained that as many as 25,000 worshippers have visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform prayers during the Islamic fasting month.
“We will do anything to make this Ramadan as calm as possible,” said Ben Mayor.
Tal Henrich, a spokesperson for the Israeli occupation government in Jerusalem, stated that they are on high alert in anticipation of possible clashes between Palestinian residents and Israeli police.
“It’s no secret that extremist terrorist organizations like Hamas and Islamic Jihad are trying to stir up unrest in this area,” Henrich told AFP.
Previously, Israeli forces blocked hundreds of Palestinian worshippers from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday (10/3) to perform the Tarawih prayer at the beginning of Ramadan.
Citing the Middle East Monitor, eyewitnesses also revealed that Israeli forces assaulted a number of worshippers who were trying to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Other eyewitnesses reported that Israeli soldiers attacked worshippers and prevented them from entering one of the gates of Al-Aqsa, Bab Al Majlis.
Israel has also imposed restrictions on West Bank residents from entering the mosque during the holy month of Ramadan.
Citing the Middle East Eye, Israeli authorities stated that they would only allow certain age groups to enter the place of worship. These include men over 55 years old, women over 50 years old, and children under 10 years old.
