Israeli forces stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque complex in Jerusalem on Sunday morning, detaining three Palestinians and leaving several injured.
Israeli police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said forces entered the site after stones were thrown at a group of Christian tourists.
"Stones were thrown at tourists and police officers, police have made three arrests," Rosenfeld told AFP. "The situation is calm at present," he said.
Several Palestinians and one Israeli police officer were injured in the attack.
Official Palestinian Authority news agency Wafa said police sealed the entrances to the Haram al-Sharif, and dozens of worshipers remained inside the mosque to defend it against a feared attack.
Rosenfeld said the site was not closed to worshipers, adding that forces had "prevented disturbances" and now left the compound.
Tensions at the sacred complex have been heightened after far-right Israeli politician Moshe Feiglin tried to make a publicized visit to the site a week ago, with leaflets distributed around the city calling to remove "Israel's enemies" from the site.
Hundreds of Palestinians entered the complex to protest against the planned visit, with fears of clashes between the two sides.
Police eventually blocked Feiglin from entering and briefly closed the holy compound, saying they feared unrest.
The compound, containing the al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, is the third holiest site in Islam and abuts the site where Jews believe the ancient Second Temple stood, attracting the far-right to threaten to rebuild the Jewish site on the sanctuary.
(Al-Akhbar, AFP)
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Israeli police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said forces entered the site after stones were thrown at a group of Christian tourists.
"Stones were thrown at tourists and police officers, police have made three arrests," Rosenfeld told AFP. "The situation is calm at present," he said.
Several Palestinians and one Israeli police officer were injured in the attack.
Official Palestinian Authority news agency Wafa said police sealed the entrances to the Haram al-Sharif, and dozens of worshipers remained inside the mosque to defend it against a feared attack.
Rosenfeld said the site was not closed to worshipers, adding that forces had "prevented disturbances" and now left the compound.
Tensions at the sacred complex have been heightened after far-right Israeli politician Moshe Feiglin tried to make a publicized visit to the site a week ago, with leaflets distributed around the city calling to remove "Israel's enemies" from the site.
Hundreds of Palestinians entered the complex to protest against the planned visit, with fears of clashes between the two sides.
Police eventually blocked Feiglin from entering and briefly closed the holy compound, saying they feared unrest.
The compound, containing the al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, is the third holiest site in Islam and abuts the site where Jews believe the ancient Second Temple stood, attracting the far-right to threaten to rebuild the Jewish site on the sanctuary.
(Al-Akhbar, AFP)
Jewish Extremist Groups Try to Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque
Jewish settlers and policemen defile Aqsa Mosque, clash with Muslim worshipers
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