ALBAWABA - Israeli security forces raided Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and attacked worshippers early Wednesday, the Quds News Network reported.
Videos shared on several social media platforms showed Israeli police brutally beating men and women to the ground, while they prayed at Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest shrine.
One clip showed a white headscarf worn by one of the worshippers stained in blood.
Israeli police said that more than 350 Palestinians were arrested amid the violent clashes inside the mosque compound.
Israeli occupation forces’ brutal attack on Palestinian women inside Al-Aqsa mosque pic.twitter.com/zr1jwjcQth
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) April 5, 2023
Eyewitnesses said Israeli forces used excessive force, fired stun grenades and tear gas causing suffocating injuries to the worshippers.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reportedly said that Israeli forces banned medics from reaching Al-Aqsa to provide first aid to people injured in the attack.
Pleads for help can be heard from several mosques in Jerusalem. Minarets are calling on people to rally and help those wounded inside Al-Aqsa Compound. According to the Red Crescent, Israeli forces are currently preventing medics from entering the scene. pic.twitter.com/i317V8XQod
— Mohammed El-Kurd (@m7mdkurd) April 5, 2023
Hamas decried the attack at the mosque. Its deputy head Saleh Al-Arouri warned that "attacking Islamic sanctities bears a considerable price (on Israel).
He threatened that "we will burn the ground under their [Israeli] feet."
Jordan and Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa's courtyards, assaulting worshipers, and arresting Palestinians.
