More than 40 Palestinians were injured in renewed clashes at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday when Israeli police entered the compound and fired rubber bullets to remove Palestinian youth throwing stones and fireworks, according to Israeli police and videos of the events.
Palestinians gather for Friday prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Israel's Foreign Ministry said they had to enter the compound in Jerusalem's Old City to allow worshipers to leave safely after rioters threw stones and set off fireworks.
At least 42 people were wounded in the fighting at the compound, which is seen as sacred to both Jews and Muslims, and 22 Palestinians were taken to the hospital, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
In a statement, Israeli police said they had arrested three people for throwing stones and inciting a mob, and pledged to act against rioters.
The fighting that began two weeks ago when Israeli police entered the mosque to break up rioters had stopped this week after the end of Passover and after Israel ended Jewish visits to the area.
Two weeks ago, there was a clash between Israeli police and Palestinians at the mosque. Israeli police have entered the mosque compound several times to break up rioters. More than 300 Palestinians have been injured since the fighting started at Al-Aqsa two weeks ago, while several Israeli police officers have been injured as well. After a wave of deadly attacks carried out by Palestinians and after Israel stepped up military operations in occupied territories in response, also killing Palestinians, there is fighting at the Jerusalem holy site. Israel's air force and Palestinian militant have traded fire in some of the worst fighting between the two sides in a year. Fears of a repeat of last year's 11-day war between Israel and Hamas have been sparked by the current violence.
There are disagreements at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Jews and Muslims refer to the 35-acre compound as Temple Mount and Haram al-Sharif, respectively. After the Six-Day War, Israel struck a deal with the Islamic Waqf that allowed Israeli police to maintain a security presence at the compound. Jews and Christians are allowed to visit, but only Muslims can pray there. Reports of Jews breaking the prayer ban have alarmed the Palestinians, who fear that Israel might try to take control of the site.
Dozens were hurt in fresh clashes at the Jerusalem holy site.
The al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem has been the site of violent confrontations between Israelis and Palestinians.
The Holy site Al-Aqsa Mosque is being attacked by Israeli forces.
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