Local sources told Quds Press that the police erected metal barricades in front of all of the gates leading to the Noble Sanctuary, preventing male and female Palestinians from entering the mosque for prayers. Palestinians already inside were ordered to leave by the police, who threatened to confiscate their Jerusalem identity documents if they refused.
According to a Quds Press correspondent, who was at the scene, a sound cannon was used to disperse Palestinians gathered at the sanctuary’s gates. At least one elderly man was hospitalised after being beaten by police. Abu Bakr Shimi was one of a number of Palestinians, including women, wounded in the attack.
Palestinian photojournalist Mohammed Qazzaz was beaten and taken to a police station where his camera was confiscated. He was released shortly afterwards. Three women students were stopped by police from entering the Sharia School within Al-Aqsa, on the grounds that they did not have their birth certificates with them.
Middle East Monitor