JERUSALEM, Tuesday, February 19, 2019 (WAFA) – Dozens of Palestinians were injured and arrested after Israeli police assaulted worshippers while holding the evening prayer at Bab al-Rahmeh (Golden Gate) area inside Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem‘s Old City, reported witnesses and medics.

They said police attacked the worshippers who tried to remove a metal gate that blocked access to a building next to Bab al-Rahmeh Gate in order to hold prayers in it.

Police had placed chains on the gate on Sunday, but Palestinians broke them down after they feared the Israeli authorities intend to shut off that building in order to later turn it into a Jewish temple.

Witnesses said police attacked the worshippers and arrested at least 15 people while Red Crescent medics said they treated a number of people for injuries from beating and tear gas inhalation.

Shortly after this incident, Muslim officials said the Israeli police left the mosque area and calm returned after it was agreed that the situation at the Golden Gate area return to the way it was before the police had placed the chains on the gates.

T.R.