Jerusalem on edge: Palestinians, cops clash at Temple Mount on 2nd Friday of Ramadan

Clashes broke out between Palestinians and Israeli police at the Temple Mount early Friday morning, as spiking tensions, threats of terror and the observance of major holidays all converge around the flashpoint holy site.

Skirmishes between police and worshipers at the site were reported around 6:30 a.m., with officers entering the compound and clashing with people barricaded inside.

Police said in a statement that at around 4 a.m., dozens of young people began marching in the area, carrying flags of both the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the Gaza-ruling Hamas terror group.

The marchers threw stones and fireworks, while stockpiling rocks and other objects to prepare for further clashes, according to police.

Police said they waited for morning prayers to end before entering the Temple Mount to disperse the rioters, and that some of them threw stones at the Western Wall below.

According to police, some Palestinians barricaded themselves inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque, from where they hurled stones toward officers. The police statement said the rioting was preventing prayers at the mosque and “thus harming a large number of Muslims” seeking to worship there.

Police said three officers were lightly hurt after being pelted with stones, two of whom required medical treatment.

The Palestinian Red Crescent emergency group reported 67 people were injured in the clashes.

Police released video from the scene.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry released a statement clarifying officers did not enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam. The Temple Mount is the holiest place in Judaism.

“Masked men hurl stones and set off fireworks, desecrating Al-Aqsa Mosque,” it said. “Contrary to FAKE reports, police forces DID NOT enter the mosque.”

Masked men hurl stones and set off fireworks, desecrating Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Contrary to FAKE reports, police forces DID NOT enter the mosque. pic.twitter.com/IaXnXbcDts

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) April 15, 2022

Fears of violence were already sky-high before the Friday morning scuffles.

This Friday is the second during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the first night of Judaism’s weeklong Passover holiday and Good Friday, when Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ

At the same time, a series of deadly terror attacks in Israel in recent weeks has killed 14 and left Israel reeling. The attacks have prompted countermeasures from Israeli security forces across the West Bank, including arrests that have spilled into violence.

Hamas called for an escalation against Israel on Thursday and urged “hundreds of thousands” to attend Friday prayers in Jerusalem, further stoking fears of conflict.

Thousands of police officers and hundreds of soldiers have been sent to the capital to boost security on streets and crowded places. Security forces have warned of attempts to carry out further attacks and have been working to close gaps in the separation barrier between Israel and the West Bank.

Palestinians burn tires as they block the streets leading to Joseph’s Tomb, near Balata refugee camp, in the West Bank city of Nablus, April 11, 2022. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90)

The Border Police’s head of operations, Oded Aflalo, told Ynet on Thursday that the force’s troops were at their highest alert.

“Today is the day we’re at our peak for preparations ahead of Seder night, combined with prayers on Friday for Ramadan,” he said, referring to the traditional dinner on the first night of Passover. “All possible scenarios are on the table, from the level of a threatening individual to a terrorist cell from a terror organization.”

He said Border Police were working to find Palestinians who were already in Israel illegally.

A senior police official told Ynet that additional officers will be guarding train stations and bus stops, which are expected to be packed with travelers and soldiers returning home from base. The police official also said there will be increased security at hotels and other sites that will host large Seder dinners.

Palestinian Authority security forces are cooperating with their Israeli counterparts and most of the Palestinian public is not expected to take to the streets, Channel 12 reported.

IDF soldiers are seen operating in the West Bank on April 13, 2022. (Israel Defense Forces)

A senior security official told Channel 12 that an outbreak of violence could drag Israel into another round of Gaza fighting like last year’s war with Hamas.

“If there is an escalation tomorrow and there are casualties, we may get to Operation Guardian of the Walls round two,” he said, referring to the 2021 conflict.

Ramadan is typically a period of high tension, as tens of thousands of…