JERUSALEM, Monday, February 18, 2019 (WAFA) – Israeli police broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City this afternoon after closing all gates leading to it and arrested individuals inside the compound after people removed chains and gates the police had earlier placed at the Golden Gate building in the compound.to prevent its use, according to witnesses.

They said a number of Palestinians removed the metal gates and chains the police had on Sunday placed at the stairs leading to the building adjacent to the closed Golden Gate, also known as Bab al-Rahmeh, considered a property of Al-Aqsa Mosque, following calls for holding the Muslim prayers at the building in defiance of the Israeli police decision.

Immediately after this, police closed all gates leading to the Muslim holy compound as its forces carried out arrests among those present inside it while forcing the Muslim worshippers to leave it.

The Islamic Waqf, which is in charge of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Muslim property in the occupied city, earlier issued a statement condemning the Israeli police act toward the Golden Gate building, which it stressed is an important part of Al-Aqsa compound, also known as al-Haram al-Sharif, or noble sanctuary, considered the third holiest site in Islam.

It said the Israeli police action was part of a series of steps that violated the sanctity of the Muslim holy place and called on Israel to end its provocations at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

M.K.