18 injured as Israeli forces raid Al-Aqsa after prayers

Dozens of Israeli soldiers raided the compound and fired tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets at worshipers.
 
Director of Al-Aqsa clinic Adnan Khanafseh told a Ma'an reporter that the 18 people were treated in the compound's clinics for fractures, injuries from stun grenade splinters, and rubber-coated steel bullets.
 
A child and a 40-year-old man were among the people treated, and three people were transferred to hospital for further treatment, Khanafseh added.
 
An Israeli police spokesman said that clashes broke out after "tens of Israeli-Arabs" threw stones at Israeli police officers located at the Moroccan Gate.
 
"Police responded by entering the Temple Mount using stun grenades to disperse rioters," Mickey Rosenfeld said.
 
He added that seven people were detained for involvement in the clashes, although he could not confirm any injuries.
 
Witnesses said the arrests were made by Israeli intelligence forces as youths left the compound. Fouad al-Qiq was the only one identified from the detainees, and it was reported that he was detained from Bab al-Amoud.
 
Clashes also broke out in Bab Hutta neighborhood at the same time.
 
Israeli forces blocked off a gate leading to the al-Qabli mosque and pepper sprayed youths in the area.
 
Because of the sensitive nature of the Al-Aqsa compound, Israel maintains a compromise with the Islamic trust that controls it to not allow non-Muslim prayers in the area. Israeli forces regularly escort Jewish visitors to the site, leading to tension with Palestinian worshipers.
 
The compound, which sits just above the Western Wall plaza, houses both the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosque and is the third holiest site in Islam.
 
It is also venerated as Judaism's most holy place as it sits where Jews believe the First and Second Temples once stood. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.