Palestinians run away as Israeli police fire a stun grenade during clashes at the compound that houses Al-Aqsa Mosque, in Jerusalem's Old City, May 10, 2021. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Israeli police fired stun grenades and rubber bullets in clashes outside al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem on Monday. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said more than 275 Palestinians were injured in the violence, and at least 205 of them were taken to hospitals. Several of the Palestinians were in critical condition.
Al-Aqsa has been a focal point of violence in Jerusalem throughout the holy month of Ramadan. The clashes have raised international concern.
Tensions were particularly high as Israel marked "Jerusalem Day", its annual celebration of the capture of East Jerusalem. Police were also considering whether to reroute a traditional Jerusalem Day march in which thousands of Israeli flag-waving Jewish youth walk through the Old City's Damascus Gate and the Muslim Quarter.
The violence at the holy compound abated several hours after it began and witnesses said Israeli police had begun allowing Palestinians over the age of 40 to enter.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, accused "Israeli occupation forces" of conducting a "brutal raid" at al-Aqsa.
Tensions have also been fuelled by the planned evictions of several Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressed "serious concerns" about the situation in Jerusalem, including the potential evictions, in a call with his Israeli counterpart on Sunday.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed on Sunday his concern over the situation.