IDF Storms Al-Aqsa Mosque During Final Days of Ramadan

Israeli forces entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday, clashing with Palestinians who protested the entrance of Israeli settlers marching to celebrate the anniversary of the occupation of East Jerusalem.

The entrance of Jews into the facility marked the first time in about 30 years such a visit was allowed during the final days of Ramadan. Omar al-Kiswani, Al-Aqsa mosque director, accused Israel of violating an agreement to not allow visits during this time.

Early in the morning hundreds of settlers marched up to the gates demanding entrance to Al-Aqsa, according to Al Jazeera reporter, Harry Fawcett. The arrival of the settlers sparked Palestinian protests and the IDF stormed the mosque with stun bombs, rubber bullets and tear gas.

One Palestinian man was suffered a head injury and others were treated for gas inhalation, according to a medic for the Palestinian Red Crescent.

On Friday, a Palestinian teenager was shot dead by the IDF while trying to enter occupied East Jerusalem to offer Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque. He was identified as 16-year-old Abdullah Loyd Gaith, from the occupied west bank city of Hebron.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.