JERUSALEM, December 4, 2013 (WAFA) – A large number of Israeli police entered the yards of al-Aqsa Mosque Wednesday following tension caused when Jewish fanatics attempted to hold religious rituals on its yards, according to witnesses.

They said Muslim worshippers confronted the Jewish fanatics by chanting religious slogans prompting police to intervene to prevent outbreak of clashes.

Dozens of Israelis entered the Muslim compound since the early hours in what Palestinians feared was in response to calls by hard-line religious leaders to celebrate the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah, inside the compound.

Hundreds of Muslim worshipers confront the fanatics driving the police to get the Israelis out and close the compound to further visits while pursuing the Palestinian protesters inside the mosques.

Police arrested several people claiming they shot firecrackers at them.

Israeli police attempted to restrict entry of Palestinians into the Mosque on Wednesday causing concern that the police is trying to allow the Jewish fanatics to hold their rituals inside the Muslim compound.

Jewish groups have intensified attempts to allow Jews to pray inside the Muslim holy place claiming the site was also holy to them.

M.N./M.S.