Israeli forces have shot and injured a number of Palestinians in the compound of al-Aqsa Mosque in al-Quds (Jerusalem).
On Sunday, soldiers broke into the compound and attacked Palestinian worshippers with gas bombs and rubber bullets.
The violent assault was carried out during a visit by Israeli Housing Minister Uri Ariel to the mosque.
According to reports, Israeli troops also arrested seven Palestinians.
In recent months, Israeli forces and extremist settlers have stepped up their attacks on Palestinians visiting the mosque. This has led to violent confrontations between the two sides.
Israel has also imposed severe restrictions to prevent Muslim worshippers from entering the mosque.
On February 25, Knesset (Israeli parliament) discussed a plan to annex the site, but the debate did not result in a vote or any practical measures.
Over the past decades, Israel has tried to change demographic makeup of al-Quds by constructing illegal settlements, destroying historical sites, and expelling the local Palestinian population.
The al-Aqsa compound, which lies in the Israeli-occupied Old City of al-Quds, is a flashpoint. The compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism. It is Islam’s third-holiest site after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.
MR/PR/SL
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