JERUSALEM
By Alaa Al Rimawy
Director of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Al-Quds (occupied Jerusalem) on Wednesday called on Arabs and Muslims to come to the rescue of tens of Muslim protesters now trapped at the mosque's complex following an attempt by Jewish settlers to storm the mosque by force.
Sheikh Najeh Bkairat told Anadolu Agency that four groups of Jewish settlers had broken into the holy site under the protection of around 500 Israeli soldiers.
"The soldiers tried to smoke out the protesters, including women and children, using teargas," Bukairat said. "Some of the protesters suffered gas inhalation while others fainted. They are in critical condition."
Tens of Palestinians had managed to enter Al Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday evening in response to a call by the Islamic Movement in the occupied lands to flock to the Al-Aqsa to protect it against a planned attempt by Jewish settlers to storm it on Wednesday on the occasion of the 'Jewish New Year.'
Several women, children and elderly Palestinians had managed to enter the mosque in the morning despite Israeli restrictions.
Israeli occupation forces had beefed up security around the mosque to prevent the demonstrators from reaching the mosque.
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