12 Palestinians arrested in Al-Aqsa clashes

Palestinian sources stated that Israeli forces arrested 12 Palestinians on Sunday, following clashes with Israeli police in front of the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque. According to the Palestinian News Agency WAFA, the Israeli forces closed the gates to Al-Aqsa Mosque following Dhohr prayer, only allowing worshipers above the age of 50 in. Palestinians had gathered in the compound since dawn following calls by extremist settlers to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque and perform Jewish rituals in it. Ahmed Qurei, the head of the Jerusalem Affairs Department in the PLO, condemned the Israeli extremist settlers’ attempt to storm the mosque's compound protected by the Israeli police. Qurei considered the attempt as part of the “Israeli de facto policy” to normalise the settlers’ presence in Al-Aqsa, in order to build their alleged Temple Mount.