JERUSALEM, July 27, 2018 (WAFA) – Following Israeli police closure of the gates to Al-Haram Al-Sharif / Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Friday, Palestinians decided to hold sit-ins and prayer outside the closed gates reminiscent of the events that took place a year ago when Israel installed metal detectors outside the gates to the mosque, according to Muslim religious leaders.

Police broke into the Muslim holy place in Jerusalem‘s Old City immediately after thousands of worshippers ended the weekly Friday prayer at the mosque, firing concussion bombs at random at the worshippers, who were of all ages, and rushed them forcing them to leave the compound before shutting it down.

Only a handful of people were able to stay inside the buildings of the compound but were later removed by force from the mosque after a reinforced police broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque building to arrest those held inside it after police closed its gates.

Over 40 people were treated for all kinds of injuries. All reported in light condition.

As a result of its closure, Muslim clergy called for holding the afternoon prayer and every other prayer of the five daily prayers at the yards outside the gates leading to Al-Haram Al-Sharif compound in a show of protest against closure of their holy place.

Aqsa Mosque director, Sheikh Omar Kiswani, called on Muslims to rally for the support of their mosque reminiscent of last year‘s protests after Israel installed metal detectors at the gates leading to the mosque that forced Israel to eventually remove them.

He said that prayers and sit-ins will be held at the gates until the Israeli police reopen the mosque for the worshippers.

Police broke into the Muslim compound after Palestinians marched in its yards marking one year since they won the battle to remove the metal detectors.

M.K.