Ramallah: Palestinians defending Al Haram Al Sharif clashed with Israeli occupation forces for a third consecutive day on Tuesday, as Jewish colonists continued to conduct daily raids on the Muslim holy site.
Israeli forces destroyed a huge and irreplaceable main gate of Al Aqsa Mosque and also several ancient windows that are believed to be more than a 1,000 years old.
The more than 500-year-old gate, from the Othmans era was the last gate to be added to Al Haram Al Sharif compound, and sits on the eastern side.
It took more than 30 men to remove the remains of the gate. Palestinians pleaded with Unesco to speak out about the egregious attack on human heritage.
Palestinian sources said the Israeli occupation soldiers forced all Muslims inside Al Haram Al Sharif into Al Qibli mosque and sealed the area with steel chains and iron rods, so they could not interrupt the Israeli colonists as they perform their Talmud rituals to mark the Jewish festival of Rosh Hashana.
At least 30 to 35 Palestinians were hospitalised and at least 10 were arrested by occupation forces.
Witness accounts say the occupation soldiers used sound bombs, tear gas and pepper spray to create a state of panic inside the holy compound.
The carpet of Al Qibli mosque caught fire amid the chaos. Another fire gutted a private house and four vehicles near Al Majlis gate.
Palestinians do not believe the situation will calm down anytime soon as Jews commemorate Rosh Hashana until October 6 with several feasts and ceremonies.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday night to consider a fast-track legislation that could introduce minimum sentences for Palestinians who throw stones.
Hamas issued a statement saying Israeli actions in Al Haram Al Sharif to be a “declaration of war”.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir released a statement saying “actions will be taken to confront any act of aggression carried out by the Israeli occupation forces or Israeli colonists against Al Aqsa Mosque”.
Jordan’s King Abdullah warned Israel that any more provocations would “affect the relationship between Jordan and Israel”.
