JERUSALEM, June 27, 2016 (WAFA) – Clashes renewed for the second day in a row at al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, after Israeli policemen broke into the holy site, according to local sources.

During the clashes, the police assaulted with clubs worshipers who were present at the side, including Feras Debes, coordinator of public relations at the Jordan-run Islamic Waqf at the holy site.

Spokesman of the Palestinian government, Yousef al-Mahmoud, held the Israeli government fully responsible for its offensive in al-Aqsa, saying the Israeli offensive in al-Aqsa represents a violation against the religious, political and historical rights of the Arabs and Muslims.

This came a day after at least five worshipers were injured when Israeli police broke into al-Aqsa compound and attacked them with rubber-coated steel rounds.

The site witnessed renewing clashes in recent months between Palestinians and Israeli police, most frequently due to provocative visits by Jewish extremists who believe the mosque should be destroyed and replaced with a Jewish temple.

Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest place for Muslims, has since 1967 been the center of the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict. While it is widely known as Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jews refer to the site as the “Temple Mount” and believe it was the site of two Jewish temples destroyed in ancient times.

Despite the fact that the site is the location of al-Aqsa Mosque, hundreds of Jewish extremists regularly attempt to legalize prayer at the compound, a move that will “inevitably” trigger Palestinians, said Israeli police.

M.N