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by IMEMC & Agencies

Israeli soldiers attacked, on Tuesday morning, dozens of Palestinians in the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards, in occupied East Jerusalem, and kidnapped eight Palestinians, including two children. At least two were injured, and hospitalized.

The assaults took place after dozens of Israeli fanatics stormed the courtyards of the mosque, under heavy police and army protection, while carrying Israeli flags, and harassed dozens of worshipers.

Six of the kidnapped Palestinians are guards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, identified as Majdi al-Abbassi, Fadi Bakeer, Raed Ezghayyar, Majd ‘Abdin, Ahmad Abu ‘Alia, and Husam Seder.

The soldiers also kidnapped two Palestinian children, identified as Amir Balbeesy, and Mohammad al-Hashlamoun.

Two mosque guards, identified as Suleiman Abu Mayyala and Ahmad Badran, were moved to a Palestinian hospital in occupied Jerusalem, after the soldiers violently assaulted them.

The WAFA News Agency said dozens of Israeli extremists, accompanied by soldiers and officers, stormed the mosque compound, and conducted provocative acts against the Palestinians, in addition to chanting racist slogans.

One of the fanatics raised the Israeli flag near the Dome of the Rock, before local worshipers attacked and beat him; the police removed him and started assaulting the worshipers.

In addition, extremist Israelis attacked many Palestinian women, who received orders denying them access to the mosque.

The women were protesting near the Chain Gate, demanding to be allowed into the Mosque.
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ERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- Clashes broke out between Palestinian worshipers and and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Tuesday after an Israeli extremist attempted to raise the Israeli flag over the holy site, witnesses said.

Witnesses said that Palestinian worshipers asked Israeli police to stop the extremist but they were ignored.

Palestinian worshipers and compound security guards then stopped the extremist themselves and tore up the flag, witnesses said.

They added that the Israeli extremist assaulted the worshipers with a sharp implement, injuring two Palestinians identified as Muammad Badran and Suliman abu-Mayyala.

During subsequent clashes, Israeli police reportedly assaulted worshipers near the Chain Gate and detained Radwan Amr, Fadi Bakir, Raed Zughaier, Husam Sedir, and Majdi Abbasi.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound has seen rising tensions in recent days, with Jewish organizations seeking to celebrate unconfirmed reports that Israel is negotiating the reopening of the compound to non-Muslim worship.

At the end of June, International Crisis Group reported discussions between Israel and the Islamic Endowment that controls the mosque compound on allowing non-Muslim worship at the site, although the move has not yet been confirmed.

On Sunday, right-wing Jewish organizations were reported to have called for a "return to the Temple Mount," urging participants to wear their Israeli army uniforms as they stormed the holy site.

Violent clashes the week before saw Israeli forces enter the mosque itself, causing the UN to issue a warning against "religious provocations" at the site.

Following Israel's occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967, Israel has maintained an agreement with the Islamic Endowment not to allow non-Muslim prayer in the area.

Jewish prayer is allowed at the neighboring Western Wall, which is the last remnant of the Second Temple.

However, Israeli forces regularly escort Jewish visitors to Al-Aqsa, leading to anger among Muslim worshipers.