JERUSALEM, Wednesday, June 28, 2023 (WAFA) – As an estimated 100,000 Muslim worshippers attended the morning Eid prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israeli police, following the end of the prayers, stormed the Muslim holy compound and forced worshippers out of Bab al-Rahma prayer area, and arrested some, according to local sources.
Reports said the Israeli occupation forces detained at least 18 people from inside Al-Aqsa Mosque or as they were leaving it.
The Israeli occupation authorities intend to turn Bab al-Rahma, also known as the Golden Gate, one of the gates that lead to Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif holy compound and which is closed, into a prayer area for the Jewish fanatics and has been keeping Muslims out of the site.
Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim officials have warned that any change in the decades-long status quo at the holy compound, as a Muslim-only prayer area in its entire 144-dunum walled area, could lead to the outbreak of violence and religious strife.
The Eid prayer, which is held on the first day of the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday that started today and which coincides with the annual pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia, usually attracts tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers from all over Palestine and the world.
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