Palestinians, Police Clash at Har HaBayis on Last Friday of Ramadan

Fighting broke out between Palestinians and police on Har HaBayis early Friday morning, the last Friday of Ramadan, which has seen regular clashes at the site.

Palestinians threw rocks and launched fireworks toward officers and the Kosel, which police said led them to enter Har HaBayis to disperse the rioters.

At least one stone thrown by the rioters landed in the Kosel Plaza, police said.

Masked men also waved the flag of the Hamas terror group, launched fireworks and chanted, “We’ll sacrifice our lives for Al-Aqsa.”

The Palestinian Red Crescent said 42 people were hurt, 22 of whom were taken to the hospital. None of the injuries were serious, according to the Red Crescent.

Police announced three people were arrested, two for throwing rocks and one suspected of inciting a mob.

“For the past hour, the site has been quiet and [Muslim] worshippers are safely entering [the compound],” police said.

The clashes ended around an hour after they began when other Palestinians in the compound intervened, convincing the stone throwers and the police to pull back.

Police said Thursday they were boosting deployment in Yerushalayim with around 3,000 officers ahead of the Friday prayers.

Troops were spread out across the Old City and the main roads leading to Har HaBayis, police said.

On Thursday, the Islamic Jihad terror group’s armed wing threatened Israel by showing footage of the organization’s Jenin aerial drones in a propaganda clip.

In the video released by the terror group ahead of Quds Day, marked on Friday, a drone could be seen dropping an explosive device on an IDF jeep in an incident that took place in September 2019.

“The enemy should think carefully and reflect: What are our drones like today, and what are their capabilities three years after that operation?” said Abu Hamza, a spokesperson for Islamic Jihad’s military wing.