The Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, one of the holiest sites in Islam, has been the site of renewed tension this week. Israeli riot police have entered the mosque, deploying stun grenades and tear gas while people were praying. The latest surge in violence has raised concerns of another deadly cross-border war between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers.
The 14-hectare (35-acre) compound, built on the Temple of the Mount, is home to the al-Qibli Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, making it one of Judaism’s most sacred sites. Its significance to both Muslims and Jews has led to ongoing disputes over control of the area.
Confrontations at Al-Aqsa have been a trigger for violence in the past, with the most recent outbreak occurring in 2021. The recent violence at the mosque has sparked international concern and calls for calm from leaders around the world, as tensions continue to escalate.
Source: Aljazeera
