Israeli police pushed Arab rioters on the Temple Mount into the Al-Aksa mosque and locked them inside early on Oct. 13.
Police who raided the mount following morning prayers at the mosque were attacked by the rioters, who had collected rocks, firebombs and broken pieces of furniture in preparation for attacks on police and Jewish visitors, according to reports. The rioters also used barbed wire to barricade parts of the site.
The Israeli forces used stun grenades, tear gas and rubber-coated bullets to contain the rioters, according to the Palestinian Ma’an news agency.
Jews were allowed to visit the Temple Mount on Oct. 13 for the first time since the start of the Sukkot holiday last week.
On Oct. 12, the Temple Mount was closed to non-Muslim visitors as Jewish worshippers visited the Western Wall for Sukkot prayers.
Police clamped down on security in the Old City of Jerusalem, adding extra patrols and closing the major streets around the area to traffic.
About 80,000 Jewish worshippers from Israel and abroad gathered at the Western Wall for the traditional Birkat Kohanim, or priestly blessing prayer. Some 300 Kohanim raised their hands in the special blessing, according to the office of the rabbi of the Western Wall. Special prayers for the safety and welfare of Israeli soldiers and security forces also were recited.
On Oct. 10, Israeli police restricted the entry of Muslim men to the Temple Mount to those over the age of 50 in response to riots at the holy site two days earlier. Four policemen were injured during the violence and at least five protesters were arrested, according to Israeli police — jta