UN Security Council held an urgent meeting on the unrest in Jerusalem as world leaders call for the de-escalation of tensions.
At least 21 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air raids on the besieged Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian health ministry, after Hamas launched rockets from the coastal territory towards Israel.
The Gaza health ministry told Al Jazeera on Monday that 21 people, including children, had been killed in the attacks.
The attacks were carried out after Hamas fired several rockets at Israel, following the expiration of the group’s ultimatum demanding Israel stand down forces from the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
Earlier on Monday tensions at the compound, the third holiest in Islam which is also revered by Jews, escalated with more than 300 Palestinians wounded when Israeli police stormed the mosque, firing rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas.
The UN Security Council held an urgent meeting on the unrest in Jerusalem, as world leaders urged the de-escalation of the tensions.
Here are the latest updates:
11 May 2021 – 04:26 GMT
Palestinians stand on the rubbles of an apartment destroyed by Israeli air strikes in Gaza early on Tuesday [Mohammed Abed/AFP]
Israel says it struck 130 Gaza military targets, 15 ‘operatives’ killed
Israel’s army said on Tuesday that it had hit 130 “military targets” in Gaza, killing 15 “Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives” in retaliatory strikes after Palestinian groups launched a flurry of rockets towards Israel.
“We have struck 130 military targets belonging mostly to Hamas,” the group that controls the blockaded Gaza strip, Israeli army spokesman Jonathan Conricus told reporters.
“According to our current estimates we have killed 15 Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives,” AFP news agency quoted him as saying.
It is unclear if the death toll Israel reported is included in the 21 people that Palestinian officials reported killed in Gaza. Palestinian officials earlier said that children were among the fatalities in the latest Israeli airstrikes.
11 May 2021 – 03:53 GMT
Israeli bombardment of Gaza continues
Israeli bombardment continued early on Tuesday targeting areas in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.
Photos posted by news agencies and on social media showed flames and smoke rising from the Gaza skyline amid the flare-up of latest violence.
Israel said the strikes were in retaliation to the rockets fired by the group, Hamas. Hamas earlier warned Israel to stop the violence against Palestinian worshippers at Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Flames and smoke rise during Israeli air strikes in the southern Gaza Strip on early on Tuesday [Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters]
11 May 2021 – 03:13 GMT
Analyst: US policy against Palestinians ‘lopsided’ since 1948
Mohammad Oweis, a political analyst based in Washington DC, said that the US policy on Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands has been “lopsided” from 1948 until today, making it difficult to resolve the root cause of the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians.
“Israel occupied Palestinian land, and is still occupying and annexing Palestinian land, killing Palestinians,” he told Al Jazeera on Tuesday.
“They signed a peace deal with the Palestinians in 1993 and nothing was implemented from it, and Israel continued to annex Palestinian land, and occupying Palestinian homes.”
“The Israeli occupation is the cause of all evil. It is not the Palestinian presence on their own land. They cannot blame the victim for what happened.”
11 May 2021 – 02:49 GMT
At least 21 Palestinians have been reported killed in Gaza following a series of Israeli strikes in response to earlier rocket fire from Hamas [Mohammed Abed/AFP]
11 May 2021 – 02:05 GMT
Protests erupt near Tel Aviv in support of Palestinians
Protests have erupted in the city of al-Lydd near Tel Aviv in solidarity with Palestinian worshippers at Al Aqsa who were injured following attacks by Israeli police.
This video in al-Lydd shows protesters taking down the Israeli flag and replacing it with the Palestinian flag early on Tuesday.
مراسلتنا: اندلاع مواجهات في بلدات الداخل الفلسطيني المحتل بعد مسيرات نصرة للقدس وتضامنا مع #غزة pic.twitter.com/orKbYIdwo4 — صوت الأقصى – عاجل (@Alaqsavoice_Brk) May 10, 2021
11 May 2021 – 01:25 GMT
UN Security Council meets on Jerusalem but holds off on statement
The UN Security Council held an urgent meeting on the unrest in Jerusalem but issued no immediate statement, with diplomats saying the United States believed public comments would be counterproductive.
The negotiations among the 15 nations on the Security Council were over a text that could be watered down from an initial draft proposed by Norway, diplomats told AFP news agency.
More than 300 people were injured on Monday as Israeli police attacked Palestinian worshippers at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound.
The bloodshed has prompted statements of deep concern from governments and international organisations, and pleas for an end to the violence.
The United States, according to one diplomat, said in the closed-door videoconference that it was “working behind the scenes” to calm the situation and that it was “not sure that a statement at this point would help.”
10 May 2021 – 22:30 GMT
In Turkey, thousands denounce Israeli violence against Palestinians
Thousands of people rallied late on Monday outside the Israeli embassy in Ankara and the country’s consulate in Istanbul in protest of recent Israeli violence against Palestinians.
The protesters in Istanbul carried Palestinian flags and chanted, “Down with Israel, down with America”.
Demonstrators wave Palestinian flags during a protest near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul [Kemal Aslan/Reuters] Demonstrators light flares during a protest near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul [Kemal Aslan/Reuters]
10 May 2021 – 22:13 GMT
‘Tense situation’ persists as more than 200 Palestinians injured
Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim, reporting from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, said “it is still a tense situation”.
“Now we are talking about more than 200 injuries that the Red Crescent teams have dealt with” in various cities in the occupied West Bank, including Nablus, Bethlehem and Ramallah, reported Ibrahim.
“If the air strikes in Gaza continue, then we are definitely looking at an escalation,” she said.
10 May 2021 – 22:08 GMT
Hamas military wing calls for Israel to lift ‘siege’ on Al Aqsa Mosque
A spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, said in a statement that the group would respond if Israel does not “break the siege on worshippers in Al Aqsa Mosque”.
10 May 2021 – 21:00 GMT
Israeli forces attack worshippers in Al Aqsa, again
Israeli security forces used stun grenades and tear gas to attack worshippers at Al Aqsa Mosque compound, once again.
Al Jazeera Arabic reported that the attack targeted worshippers leaving the compound at the Lions Gate, after they had finished performing Ramadan night prayers.
While the Israeli war planes continue to target civilians in #Gaza Strip, Israeli forces have attacked, once again, the Palestinian worshippers at al-Aqsa Mosque. Several injuries are currently locked inside the prayer halls.#Jerusalem #المسجد_الأقصى #الأقصى #القدس pic.twitter.com/SPK2QWUZsQ — Quds News Network (@QudsNen) May 10, 2021
10 May 2021 – 20:52 GMT
Israel will respond with ‘great force’ – Netanyahu
Israel will respond with “great force” to attacks, the country’s prime minister said after Hamas fired several rockets at Israel.
“We will not tolerate acts that harm our land, our capital, our citizens and our soldiers,” Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted as saying by the state-owned KAN news channel.
“Whoever attacks us will pay a heavy price,” the Israeli prime minister warned.
The barrage of rockets from Gaza came following the expiration of Hamas’s deadline demanding Israel cease attacks and pull its forces from the Al Aqsa Mosque compound.
10 May 2021 – 20:41 GMT
Israeli strikes killing civilians ‘act of terrorism’ – Ilhan Omar
US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said Israel’s air raids in Gaza killing civilians were an “act of terrorism” and that Palestinians “deserve protection”.
“Unlike Israel, missile defense programs such as Iron Dome, don’t exist to protect Palestinian civilians,” she tweeted.
Israeli air strikes killing civilians in Gaza is an act of terrorism. Palestinians deserve protection. Unlike Israel, missile defense programs, such as Iron Dome, don’t exist to protect Palestinian civilians. It’s unconscionable to not condemn these attacks on the week of Eid. https://t.co/vWWQfMqBkT — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 10, 2021
10 May 2021 – 20:29 GMT
Protest across occupied West bank in support of East Jerusalem
Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim reporting from Ramallah said “lots of spontaneous protests” took place across occupied West Bank in support of those in East Jerusalem.
“We’ve heard people chanting slogans in support … chanting for freedom, for Palestinians not to be evacuated from their houses [in Sheikh Jarrah].”
Moreover, Ibrahim said there were also calls for calls for protests from Palestinians who want these protests “near illegal Israeli military checkpoints and illegal Israeli settlements”.
“Their cause is the same cause. They all believe that they’re suffering under the Israeli occupation, and that’s why they want to get to have their voice heard, and they want to voice their anger,” Ibrahim said.
A Palestinian demonstrator in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank hurls stones at Israeli forces during a protest against Israeli policies in Jerusalem, May 10, 2021 [Mussa Qawasma/Reuters]
10 May 2021 – 20:18 GMT
US call for de-escalation
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged both Israel and the Palestinians to lower tensions.
“All sides need to de-escalate, reduce tensions, take practical steps to calm things down,” Blinken said as he met his Jordanian counterpart Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Washington.
Safadi urged the United States to play a leadership role in reducing the violence.
10 May 2021 – 19:59 GMT
Israeli PM wows to continue building in ‘all’ Jerusalem
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he intended to build in “all of Jerusalem”, calling it a “natural right in sovereign state”, according to a statement released by his office.
“I am saying it clearly to our best friends, all of Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel and will continue construction in it, in all its neighborhoods , just like any other nation building and developing its capital,” he said.
“This is a natural right in a sovereign state and we will not give it up and we will continue to practice it.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [Amit Shabi/Pool/Reuters]
10 May 2021 – 19:46 GMT
Berlin urges all sides to ‘avoid further civilian casualties’
Germany called for all sides to “avoid further civilian casualties” after Israel launched deadly air raids on Gaza and Hamas fired rockets into Jerusalem.
“Nothing justifies rockets being fired on the civilian Israeli population,” Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted, adding it “certainly does not lead to the resolution of the conflict” but instead “a senseless further escalation”.
10 May 2021 – 19:05 GMT
US senator calls for stop to forced evictions, rocket attacks
United States Senator Chris Murphy expressed “great concern” about the “violence in and around Jerusalem” and called on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to “commit to a path of de-escalation”.
“This constant ratcheting up of violence may serve political interests but ultimately could lead to chaos and is ultimately going to get a lot of people killed,” Senator Murphy warned in a conference call with reporters in Washington.
“Hamas needs to stop rocket attacks, but Israel needs to stop the forcible eviction of Palestinians from their homes,” Murphy said.
Dozens of Palestinians have been arrested in occupied East Jerusalem in recent days [Ibrahim Husseini/Al Jazeera]
10 May 2021 – 18:55 GMT
Turkish president vows mobilisation against Israeli ‘terror’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has promised to mobilise the world to stop Israeli “terror”, in phone calls Monday to Palestinian leaders.
In the calls to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Ismail Haniya, Erdogan denounced Israel’s actions and extended support.
The Turkish leader pledged to “do everything in his power to mobilise the world, starting with the Islamic world, to stop Israel’s terror and occupation,” his office said.
A damaged car is seen at the site where Palestinians were killed by Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip [Mohammed Salem/Reuters]
10 May 2021 – 18:51 GMT
Twenty killed in Gaza, says Palestinian health ministry
Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesman of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza told Al Jazeera that 20 Palestinians were killed in Israeli raids on the Gaza Strip.
He told Al Jazeera’s Walid Mahmoud that another 65 people were also injured in the air raids.
A Palestinian woman reacts outside a hospital in northern Gaza after Israeli strikes hit the Strip [Mohamed Abed/ AFP]
10 May 2021 – 18:34 GMT
US says rocket attacks into Israel ‘unacceptable escalation’
US State Department spokesman Ned Price said that rocket attacks by Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip into Israel were an “unacceptable escalation”.
Price made the comment at a regular news briefing, adding that the United States was “fully engaged” to promote calm in Jerusalem.
Rockets are launched by Hamas into Israel following an Israeli attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound [Mohammed Salem/Reuters]
10 May 2021 – 18:27 GMT
UK ‘condemns firing of rockets at Jerusalem’
Britain condemned the firing of rockets at Jerusalem and other locations within Israel, calling for “immediate de-escalation on all sides”.
“The UK condemns the firing of rockets at Jerusalem and locations within Israel. The ongoing violence in Jerusalem and Gaza must stop,” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tweeted.
“We need an immediate de-escalation on all sides, and end to targeting of civilian populations.”
Israeli soldiers near Nir Am in southern Israel [File: Amir Cohen/Reuters]
10 May 2021 – 17:47 GMT
Huge blaze in Al-Aqsa Mosque compound
A huge blaze broke out on Monday evening in Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, visible from various parts of the city.
The cause of the blaze at the third holiest site in Islam could not immediately be confirmed, but it followed Israeli police forces storming the compound which medics said left 331 people wounded.
اشتعال أشجار داخل المسجد الأقصى خلال الاشتباكات مساء اليوم pic.twitter.com/Z9plTgEJkr — الصحفي نضال سلامه (@nidal_news) May 10, 2021
10 May 2021 – 17:25 GMT
Biden administration voices concern
The Biden administration has serious concerns about the escalating violence in Israel as tensions simmer in Jerusalem, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
“We are continuing to closely monitor the violence in Israel. We have serious concerns about the situation, including violent confrontations that we’ve seen over the last few days,” said Psaki.
Palestinians evacuate a wounded man at the Lion’s Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City [Oded Balilty/AP]
10 May 2021 – 17:21 GMT
UN Security Council holds closed meeting
Speaking from the UN headquarters in New York, Al Jazeera’s Kristen Saloomey said discussion were continuing after a closed door meeting on Al-Aqsa took place.
“The official meeting has ended but the discussions are ongoing on a possible statement to be released to the press,” said Saloomey.
“This emergency meeting was called by China which holds the presidency of the Security Council this month.
“And a draft statement was put forward by China, Norway and Tunisia in line with comments made by Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres over the weekend, condemning the violence going on in Jerusalem, calling on Israel not to evict Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem, calling for restraint.
“We’re told by diplomatic sources that the US expressed some reservations about the statement that was put forward. They’re concerned that it won’t be helpful to the situation,” she added.
Israeli security force members patrol near Damascus Gate just outside Jerusalem’s Old City [Ronen Zvulun/Reuters]
10 May 2021 – 17:08 GMT
Israel strikes Gaza, killing Hamas commander, after rocket barrage
Israel’s army said it launched air raids on Gaza, killing a senior Hamas commander, in response to rockets fired by Hamas following Israel’s attack on Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
“We have started, and I repeat started, to attack military targets in Gaza,” Israeli army spokesman Jonathan Conricus told reporters.
He said Israeli forces had targeted “a Hamas military operative,” while Hamas sources in Gaza confirmed to AFP that one of their commanders had been killed.
10 May 2021 – 16:22 GMT
Three children among nine Palestinians killed: Witnesses
The Gaza health ministry said nine Palestinians were killed in Israeli air raids in the Palestinian territory after the barrages against Israel.
The Israeli military issued no immediate comment on any action it had taken in the enclave.
9 Palestinians were killed including 3 children in #Gaza pic.twitter.com/Wftjl4yLon — Alaa Daraghme (@AlaaDaraghme) May 10, 2021
Three of those killed were children, witnesses told Al Jazeera’s Dareen Jubeh.
10 May 2021 – 16:10 GMT
Israel bombs Gaza
Israel has carried out missile attacks in northern Gaza leaving at least one Palestinian dead and several wounded, Palestinian medical workers said.
10 May 2021 – 15:57 GMT
Activists in Al-Aqsa welcome rocket attack on Israel
Activists in Al-Aqsa welcomed the firing of rockets from Gaza, seeing it as support.
“If Israel continues its policies there will be a third Intifada,” Palestinian activist Dawood Afifi told Al Jazeera from Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
“We are under pressure and we have been wronged. The firing of the rockets is a natural response to Israel’s behaviour.”
Al Jazeera’s Mel Frykberg said people were cheering in Jerusalem’s Old City.
مصادر محلية: “ابتهاج الفلسطينيين في حي الشيخ جراح بعد قصف المقاومة للقدس المحتلة”. pic.twitter.com/ANjjmrACjO — Newpress | نيو برس (@NewpressPs) May 10, 2021
10 May 2021 – 15:32 GMT
Hamas claims rocket attacks on Israel
Hamas said it fired rockets at Israel, triggering warning sirens in Jerusalem and near the Gaza border, in a response to the injury of more than 300 Palestinians following a raid by Israeli police on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
Hamas, the group that controls the Gaza Strip, had given Israel an ultimatum to stand down its forces at Al-Aqsa and another Jerusalem flashpoint by 6pm (15:00 GMT).
Abu Obeida, spokesman for Hamas’s military wing, said the rocket attack was a response to what he called Israeli “crimes and aggression” in Jerusalem. “This is a message the enemy has to understand well,” he said.
He threatened more attacks if Israel again invades the Al-Aqsa compound or carries out the forced expulsions of Palestinian families from their homes in a neighbourhood of East Jerusalem.
The Israeli army said seven rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israeli territory, with one of them intercepted by the Iron Dome aerial defence system.
People take cover as a siren sounds warnings of incoming rockets near the wall surrounding Jerusalem’s Old City [Nir Elias/Reuters]
10 May 2021 – 15:28 GMT
Israeli Knesset cancels session and evacuates members
The Israeli Knesset cancelled its session and evacuated members after rocket-warning sirens sounded in Jerusalem and several explosions were heard.
The rockets came minutes after an ultimatum from Gaza’s governing Hamas group for Israel to withdraw military forces from two flashpoints in the city went into effect.
Hamas claimed responsibility for a rocket strike. There were no immediate reports of any damage or casualties.
רגעי דרמה בכנסת: במהלך כינוס ליום הניצחון על גרמניה הנאצית, נשמעה אזעקה במליאת הכנסת והנוכחים נמלטו למרחבים מוגנים. צפו בהתרחשות pic.twitter.com/InxYJZtBgT — ערוץ כנסת (@KnessetT) May 10, 2021
10 May 2021 – 15:17 GMT
Hamas issues warning to Israel
Hamas gave Israel an ultimatum to stand down its forces at two Jerusalem flashpoints, raising the prospect of rocket attacks from Gaza after more than 300 Palestinians were hurt in clashes with Israeli police outside Al-Aqsa Mosque.
There was no direct Israeli response to the threat by the group that controls the Gaza Strip.
In Gaza, a Hamas spokesman said the leadership of a joint command of armed movements in the Palestinian enclave had given Israel “an ultimatum until 6 p.m. (1500 GMT)” to withdraw its security forces from the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, where Israel plans to forcibly expel Palestinian families from their homes.
10 May 2021 – 15:03 GMT
Organisers cancel Jerusalem Day march through Old City
Organisers of a Jewish nationalist march through the Old City have cancelled the event, citing police restrictions, but crowds will still gather at the Western Wall.
“The March of the Flags is cancelled,” said the Am Kalavi foundation which organises the annual Jerusalem Day Flag March, which marks the day East Jerusalem was illegally occupied in 1967 – a move not recognised by the majority of the international community.
The announcement came after police forced marchers to change their route and avoid entering the Old City through the flashpoint, Damascus Gate.
The organizers of the parade just announced they are cancelling it because they weren’t allowed to do it in the route they wanted https://t.co/zPUlkFCsM0 — Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) May 10, 2021
10 May 2021 – 14:46 GMT
Palestinians at Al-Aqsa brace for nationalist march
Dawood Afifi, who was still inside Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, told Al Jazeera that people were worried following the intense violence earlier on Monday.
“I’m hoping that things will calm down and there will be peace as we are staying inside the mosque tonight,” Afifi told Al Jazeera’s Mel Frykberg.
“But I’m worried that although the settler March has been re-routed, it will still come into the Muslim quarter,” Afifi said.
10 May 2021 – 14:39 GMT
Israeli military suspends drill to focus on possible escalation
The Israeli military said it was suspending for a day a major drill in order to focus efforts on preparing for a possible escalation as tensions simmer in Jerusalem.
Israel’s armed forces had planned to begin their biggest exercise in 30 years, codenamed “Chariots of Fire”.
But following a situational assessment, Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Aviv Kohavi decided to suspend the exercise for the coming day and has instructed forces “to focus all efforts on preparations and readiness for escalation scenarios”, a military statement said.
Israel has also been beefing up forces in the West Bank, which it occupies illegally, and around the Gaza Strip.
An Israel soldier stands guard in front of the military base of Salem near the West Bank town of Jenin [File: Jack Guez/AFP]
10 May 2021 – 14:13 GMT
‘Israeli forces failed’
Speaking from Jerusalem, Sheikh Najeh Bkerat, the deputy director of Muslim Endowments and Al-Aqsa Affairs told Al Jazeera that Israeli forces had tried to empty Al-Aqsa this morning, but failed.
“Israeli occupation forces were trying to empty Al-Aqsa compound and for the first time failed.
“They failed to secure a route for the extreme settlers, who try every year to invade Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. What happened today is a turning point.
Bkerat explained, however, that the Israeli forces had caused a lot of damage to the mosque’s infrastructure, which he said will need months to repair.
Palestinians run for cover from tear gas fired by Israeli security forces at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound [Ahmad Gharabli/AFP]
10 May 2021 – 14:04 GMT
Turkey: Jerusalem violence ‘an attack on all Muslims’
Turkey called Israel an “apartheid state” that must end “heinous and cruel attacks” against Palestinians.
“To the Islamic world, we say: It’s time to stop Israel’s heinous and cruel attacks!” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s press aide Fahrettin Altun wrote on Twitter.
“To humanity, we say: It’s time to put this apartheid state in its place!”
The violence in Jerusalem was “an attack on all Muslims”, he said, adding that “protecting the honour of Jerusalem is a duty for every Muslim.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged all countries, in particular Muslim countries, to react and called on the United Nations to ‘stop this persecution’ [File: Adem Altan/AFP]
10 May 2021 – 13:57 GMT
Route of nationalist march changed
Israeli police have changed the route of a contentious march by Jewish ultra-nationalists in Jerusalem, in an apparent attempt to avoid confrontations with Palestinian protesters.
The original route had planned to go through Damascus Gate and into the Muslim Quarter of the Old City and on to the Western Wall.
Instead, the route has been changed to reach the Western Wall, in the Jewish Quarter, in a more roundabout way.
10 May 2021 – 12:35 GMT
Israeli forces attack Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah
Dozens of Jewish settlers, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right member of Knesset, marched to the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood and watched as Israeli forces assaulted Palestinian residents and protesters.
Hashem Salemeh, a member of the Ghawi family, who were forcibly expelled in 2009 and had their homes taken over by Jewish settlers, told Al Jazeera he was attacked by the Israeli police.
“They beat me up then a minute later, completely denied they had done such a thing,” he said.
“This is a terrorist government,” he added, referring to Israel. “This is what a government that protects and abets terrorist ministers within its ranks is.”
10 May 2021 – 12:19 GMT
Dome of the Rock sculpture made from Israeli bullets
Written on top of the sculpture with rubber-coated steel bullets are the words in Arabic ‘You will not pass’ [Ibrahim Husseini/Al Jazeera] A Palestinian man has made a sculpture of the Dome of the Rock monument from rubber bullets and stun grenades that were used by the Israeli police against Palestinian worshippers today.
“I made this to show the world the amount of weapons used against people who are not armed,” Muhammad Abi Ali, 39, told Al Jazeera.
Written on top of the sculpture with rubber-coated steel bullets are the words in Arabic: “You will not pass”.
10 May 2021 – 11:54 GMT
Netanyahu ordered Al-Aqsa raid to satisfy settlers: Imam
An Israeli policeman stands next to Palestinian youths lying prone on the ground at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque compound on May 10, 2021 [Ahmad Gharabli/AFP] Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, the imam and preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the raid on the Al-Aqsa compound “to satisfy the settlers, so that he would remain the prime minister”.
“He (Netanyahu) wanted to present them (the settlers) as a gift,” he said.
Sabri said “the violation” of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is a “heinous crime that cannot be tolerated”.
10 May 2021 – 11:31 GMT
Palestinian official: Israel violated human rights by attacking worshippers
Israeli forces fire tear gas and stun grenades at Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa mosque compound on May 10, 2021 [Ahmad Gharabli/AFP] Mustafa Barghouti, the leader of the Palestinian National Initiative party, has called the Israeli raid of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound a “criminal act”.
Barghouti, who was present inside the compound during the Israeli attack, said Israel violated all human rights by attacking people inside the mosque.
“One of the most shocking scenes that I saw is when they attacked the first-aid medics who were attacked and beaten for no reason – except to provide first aid for the injured people,” he said.
“This is unacceptable … this is the racist behaviour of an Israeli army that is practising apartheid and discrimination,” he added.
10 May 2021 – 11:26 GMT
Red Crescent: More than 300 wounded so far
A Palestinian man lies on the ground after Israeli forces shot him with a rubber bullet near Lion’s Gate in occupied East Jerusalem [Ibrahim Husseini/Al Jazeera] At least 305 people have been wounded during the Israeli raid of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the surrounding areas in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.
About 228 of the wounded have been transferred to three hospitals in occupied East Jerusalem, and seven are in a critical condition.
According to the Israeli army radio, 21 Israeli forces were wounded.
10 May 2021 – 10:39 GMT
Al-Aqsa Mosque compound gates reopen
Israeli forces withdrew from Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, allowing Palestinians trapped inside to leave.
Others, however, chose to remain and have embarked on a clean-up process.
عمليات التنظيف مستمرة في المصلى القبلي استعداد لصللاة الظهر pic.twitter.com/8PTN67tRDg — هنادي (@HanadiQH) May 10, 2021
Translation: Cleaning operations underway in Al-Qibli (Al-Aqsa) Mosque in preparation for noon prayers.
القدس تنتصر.. المعتكفون يشرعون بتنظيف ساحات المسجد الأقصى المبارك عقب انسحاب قوات الاحتلال.. اللهم لك الحمد حمدًا كبيرا 🌸🌸 pic.twitter.com/qe0byRY5Yq — AlQastal القسطل (@AlQastalps) May 10, 2021
Translation: Jerusalem is victorious. The worshippers begin cleaning the squares of the Al-Aqsa Mosque after the withdrawal of the occupying forces.
Meanwhile, Jerusalem’s Mufti Muhammad Hussein said it is the Islamic world’s “duty” to guard Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“What is going on is a crime perpetrated by the Israeli occupation against the right to hold prayers,” he said. “It is a crime against the people of Jerusalem but their actions will fail.”
10 May 2021 – 10:20 GMT
‘People were on the floor suffocating’
Ibrahim, 17, was praying inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque when Israeli forces suddenly raided the compound at 8am local time (6:00 GMT).
“The Israeli police rushed through all the gates of Al-Aqsa, maybe 1,000 of them, and they started firing rubber bullets and tear gas,” he told Al Jazeera’s Ibrahim Husseini.
“One policeman threw a stun grenade inside the mosque and the carpet caught fire. I barely escaped.”
Ibrahim said he went to seek shelter in the clinic, but Israeli police forced their way in.
“They sprayed pepper gas and lobbed stun grenades – even though people were getting treated there,” he said. “People were on the floor suffocating.”
“There were many wounded inside. Finally, the police ejected us out of Bab al-Asbat (Lion’s Gate), pushing us with every step we took.”
A Palestinian man helps a wounded fellow protester during an Israeli crackdown at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on May 10, 2021 [Ahmad Gharabli/AFP]
10 May 2021 – 10:01 GMT
Israeli settler runs over Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem
At least one Palestinian has been injured after an Israeli settler ran him over with his vehicle near Lion’s Gate in illegally occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.
A video shared online shows the Israeli settler driving on top of the pavement and knocking the Palestinian down.
Israeli settler drives into a crowd of Palestinians, running over at least one person near the Lions Gate in Occupied East Jerusalem. Read more: https://t.co/Jdsx2FLHZC pic.twitter.com/HeXLJE0hAA — Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) May 10, 2021
Ofir Gendelman, the spokesman for the Israeli police, tweeted a longer video that showed Palestinians throwing stones on the settler’s car prior to the ramming.
Another video shows an Israeli police officer standing in front of the settler with his gun drawn, shouting at the Palestinians. The settler then spits at them.
Israeli occupation officer seen pointing his gun at Palestinian protesters in Jerusalem, to protect the Israeli settler who had just run over a Palestinian protester who is left to bleed on the side#AlAqsaMosque #SaveSheikhJarrah pic.twitter.com/Br4Q4TITaI — mhmd (@MohamedHemish) May 10, 2021
An estimated 35,000 Jewish settlers – under Israeli police protection – are expected to march through the Palestinian areas in the Old City in celebration of Jerusalem Day – a date that marks the illegal annexation of East Jerusalem by Israel.
Palestinians see the marches as a deliberate provocation, and many are forced to remain at home or close their shops to avoid confrontations with the settlers.
10 May 2021 – 09:33 GMT
‘They were firing rubber bullets randomly at everyone’
Nour Mtour, a Palestinian man who spent the night inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, witnessed the beginning of the crackdown by Israeli forces early on Monday.
“Snipers went on the roof of the gate at the mosque compound and began to shoot rubber bullets at everyone – women, men, everyone,” Mtour told Al Jazeera’s Dareen Jubeh. “At the same time, a huge number of police forces invaded from different directions.”
“I saw the Israeli police attacking the paramedics with batons who were doing their job. They were firing rubber bullets randomly at everyone. The police wanted to empty Al-Aqsa.”
The 35-year-old said a lot of people were injured.
“I tried to help a wounded man who got hit by a bullet in his head, but I couldn’t reach him as police fired a tear gas canister at me,” she said.
Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian protester by the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City on May 10, 2021 [Emmanuel Dunand/AFP]
10 May 2021 – 09:04 GMT
Pakistan PM condemns Israeli attack
Imran Khan, Pakistan’s prime minister, has decried the Israeli storming and attack of Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
“Strongly condemn Israeli Forces’ attack esp during Ramazan on Palestinians in Qibla-e-Awaal, Al-Aqsa Mosque, violating all norms of humanity & int [international] law,” he wrote in a Twitter post.
“We reiterate support for Palestinian ppl,” he added. He called on the international community to take immediate action “to protect Palestinians & their legitimate rights”.
Strongly condemn Israeli Forces’ attack esp during Ramazan on Palestinians in Qibla-e-Awaal, Al-Aqsa Mosque, violating all norms of humanity & int law. We reiterate support for Palestinian ppl. Int community must take immed action to protect Palestinians & their legitimate rights — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 9, 2021
10 May 2021 – 08:46 GMT
Red Crescent: 215 injured, four in critical condition
Palestinians evacuate a wounded man during clashes with Israeli forces in front of the Dome of the Rock at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City Monday, May 10, 2021 [Mahmoud Illean/AP Photo] The Palestinian Red Crescent said the number of people wounded has risen to 215, with 153 hospitalised and at least four in critical condition.
A Palestinian medic told Al Jazeera a worshipper was shot in the neck with a rubber bullet.
Abdullah Idris, a Palestinian stuck inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque, told Al Jazeera the compound is a “battlefield”.
“The worshippers are suffering from tear gas inhalation,” he said, coughing. “There is no respite except to get close to the mosque’s windows to breathe some fresh air. Medical teams are still prevented from accessing the wounded.”
Palestinian medics evacuating a wounded man outside of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound [Ibrahim Husseini/Al Jazeera] Sheikh Raed Da’na, an official with the Islamic Waqf, told Al Jazeera he was beaten up by Israeli forces.
“They started kicking me and pushed me to the ground even after I showed them my work ID,” he said. “They then ejected me from the compound.”
10 May 2021 – 08:28 GMT
Six Palestinian journalists injured amid Israeli raid on compound
Palestinians evacuate a wounded protester amid clashes with Israeli forces at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City on May 10, 2021 [Emmanuel Dunand/AFP] Six journalists suffered tear gas inhalation during their coverage of the Israeli raid on the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, local Palestinian sources said.
The journalists have been identified Usaid Amarneh, Mohammad Samreen, Liwa Abu Armila, Ethar Abu Gharbia, Ahmed Jaradat and Rami Al-Khatib.
Another journalist, Fatima Al-Bakri, was physically assaulted by Israeli forces.
10 May 2021 – 06:47 GMT
Red Crescent: Hundreds wounded with 50 others hospitalised
Israeli forces prevents Palestinian medical teams from entering Al Aqsa Mosque compound [Ibrahim Husseini/Al Jazeera] The Palestinian Red Crescent said hundreds of Palestinians have been wounded, including a medic, and 50 others hospitalised.
“There are hundreds of people injured from the clashes,” the group said in a brief statement to journalists, adding its medical teams were prevented from accessing the scene of the violence.
Several videos showed tear gas canisters fired inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and stun grenades were fired on Palestinian women worshippers inside the mosque itself.
تصدي الشبان من داخل المصلى القبلي خلال اقتحامه في #المسجد_الأقصى pic.twitter.com/fAZfn1uBsu — حلا (@halakhalayleh) May 10, 2021
Dozens wounded inside AlAqsa Mosque compound, as Israeli forces deploy tear gas and stun grenades in the mosque yards, locals say. pic.twitter.com/H4Q5rwSfWD — Rania Zabaneh (@RZabaneh) May 10, 2021
10 May 2021 – 06:16 GMT
Israeli police ban settlers from reaching Al Aqsa compound
Israeli police have barred Jewish settlers from accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound when Israelis mark Jerusalem Day.
The decision came hours before a planned march by hardline Israeli nationalists through the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City, an annual event widely perceived as a provocative display of Jewish hegemony over the illegally occupied city.
Police have allowed the flag-waving parade to take place despite growing concerns that it could further fan the flames.
