Israeli raids on Al-Aqsa continue as end of Ramadan nears
SMA NEWS – RAMALLAH
The international community must prevent Israel’s “dangerous” escalation of activities in Jerusalem amid a surge in violence and arrests, Palestine’s Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Fadi Al-Hadmi has said.
His appeal came as the Israeli army and police escalated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque two days before the end of Ramadan, and stepped up arrests of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Palestinian sources said that Israeli authorities rounded up 13 people at dawn on Wednesday.
On Wednesday afternoon, many Israeli police and border guard personnel stormed the Dome of the Rock courtyard in Al-Aqsa Mosque to remove Palestinian flags for the second time that day.
Palestinian sources said the Israeli forces first stormed the mosque at dawn, removing and confiscating a banner hanging on a pillar.
But the initial activity failed to lead to the lowering of the Palestinian flag, so Israeli authorities returned to storm the mosque, using stairs to confiscate the flag.
