violent clashes erupt in Al-Aqsa Mosque

It is one of the most iconic Muslim places of worship in the world. Violent clashes opposed, Wednesday, April 5 in the night, the Israeli police to what they presented as “rioters” in the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. denouncing “an unprecedented crime”the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, in power in the Gaza Strip, called on Palestinians in the West Bank “to go en masse to the Al-Aqsa mosque to defend it”.

Israeli police have released video footage of more than 50 seconds showing explosions of what appear to be fireworks inside the place of worship, including figures throwing rocks. Another police video footage shows riot police advancing through the mosque shielding themselves from rocket fire with shields.

A resurgence of violence

“Israeli police arrested (…) more than 350 people who violently barricaded themselves on the Temple Mount”police later said in a statement, using what Jews call the esplanade of the Mosques.

These events occur shortly before the middle of Ramadan and as the Jews prepare to celebrate Easter from Wednesday evening, in a climate of resurgence of violence between Israelis and Palestinians since the beginning of the year.