RAMALLAH, Monday, March 04, 2019 (WAFA) – Israeli forces detained early today at least eight Palestinians from the occupied city of Jerusalem, most of them from Silwan neighborhood adjacent to Al-Aqsa Mosque and bordering the Old City wall, according to local sources.

They said six were from Silwan while the other two were from the Old City and Issawieh neighborhood.

The arrests are believed related to an ongoing Israeli police campaign against activists in occupied East Jerusalem.

Two weeks ago, over 40 Palestinians, mostly identified as members of the Fatah movement, were rounded up but later released on condition of staying away from Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The recent detentions follow escalating tension inside Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound over prayer right at Bab al-Rahma area located inside the Muslim holy compound in Jerusalem’s Old City.

Israeli has denied Muslims the right to pray at Bab al-Rahma since 2003 until worshippers decided two weeks ago to defy the Israeli closure order and reopen the building next to Bab al-Rahma, also known as the Golden Gate, for prayer.

The incident provoked strong Israeli reaction that included imprisonment and banishing dozens, including senior religious figures, from Al-Aqsa compound.

K.T./M.K.