Brutal Israeli Attack on Unarmed Fasting Worshippers in Al-Aqsa, Stop Itikaf at Gunpoint
Occupied Jerusalem, 7 March – (PIC): On Thursday, Israeli occupation forces brutally attacked Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during noon prayer, injuring several people. The wounded were taken to the hospital, where their condition was reported as stable.
Israeli forces used violence and gunpoint threats to prevent worshippers from staying in the mosque for Itikaf (spiritual retreat) and prayers.
According to local sources, after completing the noon prayer, Palestinian worshippers were standing near Bab al-Asbat (Lions’ Gate) when Israeli forces suddenly started beating them.
Speaking to Quds Press, Abu Ramouz stated that Israeli police conducted identity checks, verbally abused worshippers, and then physically assaulted them.
The brutal attack spread fear and panic among Palestinian worshippers. Israeli forces beat people with batons, injuring many. Several worshippers were covered in blood, and multiple Palestinians were later arrested and taken to the Al-Qashla detention center.
After Taraweeh prayers, Israeli forces stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque, forced worshippers to leave, and prevented them from performing Itikaf (spiritual retreat) inside the mosque.
Researcher Ziad Abyas, an expert on Jerusalem affairs, stated that stopping Itikaf is a new and unjustified action. Previously, Israeli forces did not prevent worshippers from staying on Thursdays and Fridays, but now they are forcing them out.
Since 2015, Palestinian worshippers have performed Itikaf at Al-Aqsa Mosque daily, even if only for a short time.
On the sixth day of Ramadan, around 85,000 worshippers gathered at Al-Aqsa to offer Isha and Taraweeh prayers. Despite Israeli restrictions on access to Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa, thousands of Palestinians managed to reach the mosque.
Many men and women who were forcibly removed from Al-Aqsa prayed on Mujahideen Road, located between Bab Hutta and Bab al-Asbat.
Since the start of Ramadan, Israeli forces have tightened restrictions on worshippers. They blocked young Palestinians from entering Al-Aqsa for Isha and Taraweeh prayers and forcibly removed several male and female worshippers from the mosque.
