UN expresses grave concern over Al-Aqsa Mosque violence, after Friday attack

The United Nations expressed grave worry over the escalating violence between Israel and Palestinians on Friday, as riots erupted once again at Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

“We are gravely worried by the recent escalation of violence in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

According to Palestinian doctors, at least 57 Palestinians were hurt in Friday’s fighting with Israeli police at the site.

During an Israeli security forces operation, hundreds of people were injured by rubber-coated metal bullets, as well as dozens of cases of suffocation.

Earlier this month, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Jerusalem claimed that its crews treated 31 injuries caused by rubber-coated metal bullets, including two fatalities.

Israeli police captured a young guy with gunshot wounds in the mosque’s courtyard, preventing worshippers from entering the mosque.

Nearly 150,000 Palestinians attended the third and last Friday prayer of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa, despite the checkpoint limitations at the city’s gates and on the city’s streets.

Sheikh Omar Al-Kiswani, director of Al-Aqsa Mosque, claimed that despite the violence at the site, tens of thousands were able to attend and do Friday prayers.

“We anticipated the number of worshipers to exceed 300,000 on the third Friday of Ramadan, but Israeli restrictions and roadblocks prevented that,” he told Arabs News.

Israeli officials enforced a rigorous security lockdown on the Palestinian Territories from April 21 to 23, barring Palestinians from entering Israel, even with permits, but eased ahead of Friday prayers for those over the age of 50 and with permission.

Dozens of residents, including women and children, were smothered as Israeli drones sprayed tear gas canisters at the mosque enclosure.

In anticipation of conflict, the police stationed 3,000 officers in and around Jerusalem’s Old City and the neighboring streets leading to the mosque. Additionally, the Israeli government has suggested that it wants to suspend Jewish visits to Al-Aqsa Mosque beginning Friday and continuing through the conclusion of Ramadan.

The UNHCR’s representative expressed grave worry over the recent escalation of violence in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel.

“Last weekend saw Israeli security forces injure around 180 Palestinians, including at least 27 children, during tensions in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The witnessed conduct of Israeli security forces on April 15, captured in numerous videos, raises serious concerns that the use of force was widespread, unnecessary, and indiscriminate,” it said.

“Several Palestinians, including elderly, women, children and at least one journalist, did not appear to pose any threat to the Israeli security forces in any manner.

“The use of force in law enforcement operations is strictly limited and governed by international norms and standards. The use of force by Israeli police resulting in widespread injuries among worshippers and staff in and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound must be promptly, impartially, independently and transparently investigated.

“Those responsible for any violations should be held to account, and policies and procedures on using force reviewed to avoid any further violations. The tension in Jerusalem has impacted other areas as between April 18-21, Palestinian armed groups launched six rockets and one mortar shell toward Israel.”

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