The latest outburst of violence at Jerusalem’s most important holy site for Muslims and Jews is causing widespread anger. The al-Aqsa Mosque compound, also known as the Temple Mount, is the third holiest place in Islam and the holiest site in Judaism. Palestinian worshippers barricaded themselves inside the al-Aqsa mosque, and in response, heavily armed Israeli police allegedly used a rifle butt and sticks to beat them. Israeli police have also released their own footage, which seems to show fireworks thrown by Palestinians lighting up the prayer hall. With Ramadan and Passover overlapping and Easter just around the corner, tensions are running high. Officials and diplomats have been warning of a new round of violence in this sacred spot at a highly sensitive time.

Tensions continue to rise at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque compound/Haram al-Sharif, as Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers clash once again. In a video circulating on social media, Israeli police are seen using a rifle butt and sticks to beat barricaded Palestinian worshippers inside the mosque. Meanwhile, Israeli police have released footage showing Palestinians throwing fireworks that ignited the prayer hall, causing furniture and prayer mats to be overturned and scattered across the carpet. Officials and diplomats have long warned of the risk of violence erupting at this sacred spot, which is the third holiest place in Islam and the holiest site in Judaism.