Israeli occupation forces (IOF) violently stormed and attacked Qibli Masjid in Aqsa Mosque amid heavy fire of rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas, and sound bombs late on Tuesday and early on Wednesday, violating numerous Palestinians’ rights to exercise their religion. Dozens of Palestinians were hurt and suffered teargas inhalation as a result.
The raid left varying degrees of damage on the windows, doors, and furnishings inside the mosque’s buildings.
Palestinian worshipers were forced out of the Masjid after being violently attacked and forced out while being trapped inside the Qibli prayer hall while being heavily attacked with sound bombs and tear gas.
Israeli soldiers were brutally captured on camera striking the worshipers with rifle butts and batons.
A fire broke out inside the Masjid as a result of the extensive use of teargas bombs, but it was quickly put out by the worshipers.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society said that its crews were denied access to those hurt and one was assaulted outside the mosque.
200 injuries were reported during the attack, according to the Red Crescent’s spokesman in Jerusalem, Murad Abbasi.
At least 400 Palestinians were arrested on Wednesday and remain in Israeli custody, according to Abbasi.
This came as Israeli settlement groups called for widespread participation in a mass raid to slaughter sacrifices at the Aqsa Mosque, marking the Passover holiday scheduled to start today and last until the 12th of April.
Early on Wednesday, dozens of Jewish settlers desecrated the Aqsa Mosque in different groups through its Maghariba Gate and toured its courtyards under tight police protection.
During their tours at the Islamic holy site, the settlers received lectures from rabbis about the alleged temple mount, and a number of them provocatively performed Talmudic prayers.
