Israeli forces cracked down on Palestinians at Al-Aqsa

Tensions have escalated in the Wadi al-Joz neighbourhood of occupied Jerusalem as Palestinians going to Friday prayer were left finding it challenging to breathe as Israeli forces sprayed ‘skunk water’ and used tear gas canisters, the WAFA news agency reported.

A WAFA correspondent said Israeli forces cracked down on worshipers who were denied entry into the Al-Aqsa Mosque and instead performed their prayers in Wadi al-Joz, close to the Old City of Jerusalem.

Israeli forces also reportedly used rubber-coated metal bullets on the worshippers.

Only 12,000 worshipers managed to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform their prayers. On a normal Friday, the number of worshippers at Al-Aqsa mosque has reached up to 70,000.

This is the 12th consecutive Friday that Israeli occupation forces have intensified their military measures on entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque and on the residents of the Old City.