<strong>Palestinian-Israeli conflict: Police attack Al-Aqsa mosque after militants fire rockets</strong>

Palestinian-Israeli conflict: The holy month of Ramadan is interspersed with bloody clashes and violent retributions from both Palestinian militants and the Israeli police. In a pre-dawn swoop Palestinian militants fired nine rockets from Gaza into Israel. In retaliation, Israeli police fired cannons into Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque before dawn on Wednesday.

Cross border firing

The latter said it was a step to clear groups who were holed up inside. This escalated into clashes with worshippers and in turn led to exchange of cross-border firing with Gaza.

The fact that the cross-border clash occurred during the month of Ramadan as well as on the eve of the Jewish Passover,  more violent clashes were feared since the mosque compound is a  flashpoint in the face-off between the two countries.

According to media reports, Palestinian militants fired nine rockets from Gaza which in turn resulted in air strikes from Israel. The Israeli action targeted what were said to be weapon production sites for the Islamist group Hamas, which controls the blockaded coastal enclave.

Hamas refuses to claim responsibility

Hamas refused to claim responsibility for the rocket attacks and instead stated that this was a response to the raid on Al-Aqsa.  Citizens recounted ground-shaking explosions from the airstrikes that rocked Gaza. Witnesses also claimed that Israeli tanks also shelled Hamas positions.

"We are not interested in an escalation but we are ready for any scenario," Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said.

The Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City, is Islam's third holiest site and tens of thousands of devotees throng to pray there during Ramadan. It is also Judaism's most sacred site, revered as Temple Mount, a remnant of the two biblical Jewish temples.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Red Crescent said 12 Palestinians had sustained injuries during the raid, including from rubber-tipped bullets and beatings, in clashes with police. It said Israeli forces had prevented its medics from reaching the area.

Benjamin Netanyahu gives statement

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the situation was a result of deliberate steps taken by "extremists" who barricaded themselves inside the mosque with weapons, stones and fireworks.

"Israel is committed to maintaining freedom of worship , free access to all religions and the status quo on the Temple Mount and will not allow violent extremists to change that," he said in a statement.

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