JERUSALEM, Wednesday, April 5, 2023 (WAFA) – Israeli police early this morning and last night broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem to forcefully remove hundreds of Palestinian worshippers who were holding an all-night Ramadan prayer vigil at the Muslim holy compound.

Witnesses and medics said the Israeli police used excessive force to remove the worshippers who closed the gates to the Qibli building in the compound to prevent the police from entering it.

However, the police shot tear gas into the building after breaking windows causing serious suffocation cases.

Medics said they were prevented by the police from entering the compound to help the worshippers, many of whom were detained while others were beaten and forced to leave the walled compound.

The Israeli police removed the Muslim worshippers in order to prepare the way for Jewish fanatics to storm the holy compound in the morning.

The fanatics intend to sacrifice offerings at the Muslim holy place as Jews mark the Passover holiday, which starts tonight.

As a result of this call, Palestinians have called on Muslims to remain at Al-Aqsa Mosque to prevent the fanatics from desecrating the site, which according to the decades-old status quo is a Muslim-only worship area.

M.K.