On Saturday, a clash broke out between Palestinian protesters and the Israeli police outside Old City in Jerusalem on the night of Ramadan. It was considered the city’s worst religious unrest in years. The Israeli police had blocked several buses which included pilgrims headed towards Jerusalem for praying. Jerusalem is considered the third holiest site for Islam.
The Israeli policemen defended their actions and cited them as security measures but the Muslims thought that these were provocative in nature and also accused the Israelis of threatening their freedom to worship.
According to the Palestinian doctors, a total of more than 200 Palestinians were injured in the violent clashes at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and in other places in Jerusalem. Many leaders from different countries such as the United States, Europe and the United Nation condemned the violence which took place on Saturday and also called for maintaining peace and calm in the country. As a result of this, the Arab League is planning to arrange an emergency meeting on Monday.
The Israeli Ministry said that in the early hours of Sunday morning, Palestinian militia in the Gaza Strip fired a rocket in the southern part of the country and it fell into an open area. The Israeli militia responded by striking a militia post for Hamas, the military group which is ruling the country. But in this attack, there were no reports of any casualty.
Koby Shabtai, who is the police chief officer, said he had to deploy more police in Jerusalem after the violent clashes, which further resulted in 18 police officers being injured. Both Israelis and Palestinians must brace up for more conflicts in the coming days after weeks of violent clashes.
Koby Shabtai further said that the right to demonstrate would be respected but at the same time, public disturbances would be met with force and zero tolerance. “I request everyone to act responsibly and with caution.”
The Saturday night was Laylat-al-Qadr, which is also known as Night of Destiny. This is considered the most sacred in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.