PHOTOS: Palestinians return to Al-Aqsa after week of violence

Activestills By Activestills July 28, 2017 | Edit

On Thursday, thousands of Muslim worshippers entered the compound for the first time in almost two weeks, where they clashed with Israeli security forces after boycotting the site due to Israeli restrictions.

Photos by Faiz Abu Rmeleh, Martin Barzilai, Yotam Ronen, Heidi Motola, Oren Ziv / Activestills.org

Thousands of Palestinians gather at Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, July 27, 2017. (Activestills.org)
Thousands of Palestinians gather at Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, July 27, 2017. (Activestills.org)

Protests and clashes in Jerusalem’s Old City over tensions at the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif calmed on Friday, after a week of violence claimed the lives of six Palestinians and three Israelis in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.

Police announced for the second straight week that men under 50 would not be allowed in, closing several gates to the compound. Meanwhile a 25-year-old Palestinian who was shot by Israeli forces in Ramallah earlier this week succumbed to his wounds. Israeli soldiers also reportedly shot and killed a protester near the border with Gaza.

Israeli authorities removed controversial metal detectors at the entrance to Al-Aqsa compound earlier this week, following intervention by Jordan. On Thursday, thousands of Muslim worshippers entered the compound for the first time in almost two weeks, where they clashed with Israeli security forces, after boycotting the site. Some 115 Palestinians were treated for wounds both inside the compound and in the surrounding area, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

Israel installed metal detectors and at the mosque, the third holiest site for Muslims, after an attack by three Palestinian citizens of Israel on July 14, in which they fatally shot two Israeli Border Police officers.

Palestinians viewed the restrictive measures as an encroachment of Israeli control over the holy site and a form of collective punishment.

Border Police officers guard the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif compound, July 27, 2017. (Activestills.org)
Border Police officers guard the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif compound, July 27, 2017. (Activestills.org)

 

Palestinians run away as Border Police throw stun grenades outside Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, July 27, 2017. (Activestills.org)
Palestinians run away as Border Police throw stun grenades outside Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, July 27, 2017. (Activestills.org)

 

Hundreds of Palestinians pray in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Ras al-Amud, outside the Old City, July 28, 2017. (Activestills.org)
Hundreds of Palestinians pray in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Ras al-Amud, outside the Old City, July 28, 2017. (Activestills.org)

 

Palestinians celebrate the return to Al-Aqsa Mosque, Old City of Jerusalem, July 27, 2017 (Activestills.org)
Palestinians celebrate the return to Al-Aqsa Mosque, Old City of Jerusalem, July 27, 2017 (Activestills.org)

 

A Palestinian worshipper prays in Ras al-Amoud, East Jerusalem, July 28, 2017. (Activestills.org)
A Palestinian worshipper prays in Ras al-Amoud, East Jerusalem, July 28, 2017. (Activestills.org)

 

Border Police officers throw stun grenades at Palestinians at the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif compound, Jerusalem, July 27, 2017. (Activestills.org)
Border Police officers throw stun grenades at Palestinians at the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif compound, Jerusalem, July 27, 2017. (Activestills.org)

 

Palestinians fly the Palestinian flag Islamic flags atop Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, July 27, 2017. (Activestills.org)
Palestinians fly the Palestinian flag Islamic flags atop Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, July 27, 2017. (Activestills.org)
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Activestills is a collective of Israeli, Palestinian, and international photographers, united by a conviction that photography is a vehicle for political and social change. We believe in the power of images to shape public attitudes and to raise awareness on issues that are generally absent from public discourse. We view ourselves as part of the struggle against all forms of oppression, racism, and violations of the basic right to freedom. Our images are frequently published by many leading human rights, development, and advocacy agencies, as well as by alternative and leading news media. To stay updated on our latest images, like Activestills on Facebook or visit our Flickr photostream.