Hundreds wounded as Israeli forces raid Al-Aqsa compound
Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Monday morning, firing rubber-coated bullets, tear gas, and sound bombs at Palestinian worshippers, wounding hundreds.
The latest violence comes as occupied East Jerusalem braces for a planned Jewish nationalist march through the city later on Monday. The annual Jerusalem Day Flag March marks the day East Jerusalem was occupied in 1967 and later annexed by Israel – in a move not recognised by the majority of the international community.
It usually sees young Zionist activists walk through Palestinian areas in the Old City and East Jerusalem neighbourhoods in provocation.
Video reportedly of an Israeli settler ramming into Palestinians in #Jerusalem. Several injuries are confirmed. pic.twitter.com/M6qzaqkU05
— Nour Odeh 🇵🇸 #NojusticeNopeace (@nour_odeh) May 10, 2021
Here are the latest updates:
Israeli settler runs over Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem
At least one Palestinian has been injured after an Israeli settler ran him over with his vehicle near Lions Gate in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.
A video shared online shows the Israeli settler driving on top of the pavement and knocking the Palestinian down.
Ofir Gendelman, the spokesman for the Israeli police, tweeted a longer video that showed Palestinians throwing stones on the settler’s car prior to the ramming.
Another video shows an Israeli police officer standing in front of the settler with his gun drawn, shouting at the Palestinians. The settler then spits at them.
Israeli occupation officer seen pointing his gun at Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem, to protect the Israeli settler who had just run over a Palestinian protester who is left to bleed on the side#AlAqsaMosque #SaveSheikhJarrah pic.twitter.com/Br4Q4TITaI
— mhmd (@MohamedHemish) May 10, 2021
An estimated 35,000 Jewish settlers –under Israeli police protection – are expected to march through the Palestinian areas in the Old City in celebration of Jerusalem Day – a date that marks the annexation of East Jerusalem to Israel.
Palestinians see the marches as a deliberate provocation, and many are forced to remain at home or close their shops to avoid confrontations with the settlers.
