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2023 Israel–Palestine tensions

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2023 Israel–Palestine tensions
Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
The Temple Mount, also known as the Al-Aqsa compound, where the clashes occurred
Date5 April 2023
(3 years ago)
Location
Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Jerusalem
Parties
  • Palestinians
Casualties and losses
  • 1 police officer injured[1]
At least 400 Palestinians arrested[2]

A series of violent confrontations occurred between Palestinians and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem in April 2023. After the evening Ramadan prayer, Palestinians barricaded themselves inside the mosque, prompted by reports that Jews planned to sacrifice a goat at the site (which is forbidden by Israeli law). In response, Israeli police raided the mosque in riot gear, injuring 50 people[1] and arresting at least 400.[3]

In the immediate aftermath of the clashes, Palestinian militant groups fired rockets into Israel from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon – acts broadly construed as a response to the events at Al-Aqsa.[4][5] Later that year, one justification given by Hamas for carrying out the 7 October attacks against Israel was in retaliation for the events at Al-Aqsa.

Background

Since 2001, Palestinian groups have frequently fired rockets and mortars into Israel proper, targeting mostly civilians and triggering retaliatory strikes.[6][7][8][9][10][11] Most rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas. During the 2006 Lebanon War, Hezbollah launched a large amount of rockets from Lebanon to Israel.[12] Since the end of the war, attacks from Lebanon have been less common than attacks from Gaza.

The clashes occurred during a period of increased Israeli–Palestinian tensions due to the convergence of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the Jewish holiday of Passover, and the Christian Holy Week.[13]

Since the beginning of Ramadan on 22 March, Muslim worshippers had attempted to stay overnight in the Al-Aqsa mosque, a practice usually permitted only in the last 10 days of the holiday (11–21 April). Israel Police had entered the mosque to evict worshippers nightly over Ramadan.[5]

On 3 April, Israel Police detained a Jewish activist with the Temple Mount Administration in an attempt to head off attempts by Jewish groups to contravene the ban on Jewish prayer in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and perform a ritual sacrifice for Passover, which would begin the evening of 4 April.[14] The same day, the National Security Minister Ben-Gvir advocated for Jewish groups to go to Temple Mount during Passover, but refrain from ritual sacrifice.[15] According to the status quo, Jews are allowed to visit the Temple Mount site but not pray there.[16]

Incident

The confrontations began on the night of 4 April, when a few hundred Palestinians barricaded themselves in the Al-Aqsa mosque after Ramadan prayers amid concern that Jews might head to the Temple Mount to perform a ritual sacrifice, despite its prohibition.[17] In response, Israeli police raided the mosque in riot gear. According to Palestinians, police threw stun grenades, fired rubber bullets, and beat Palestinians on the floor with batons, injuring at least 50 people and arresting 400. According to the Israeli police, Palestinians threw stones and launched fireworks at police. A video released by Israeli police showed that fireworks were used inside the mosque. One police officer was injured.[17][1] The events heightened tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and have drawn international attention to the ongoing conflict in the region.[4]

The next night, Palestinian worshippers barricaded themselves in the mosque again and were forcibly removed by Israeli police.[5]

Palestinian response

Following the incident, Palestinian militant groups warned of further confrontation.[5] On the day of the Al-Aqsa violence, over a dozen rockets were fired towards Israel from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.[18] The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that nine rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel.[4]

On 6 April 2023, dozens of rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel. [19][20] According to Israel, the rockets from Lebanon were fired by Palestinian factions Hamas and PIJ with Hezbollah's approval.[21][5][22] On 7 April, the Israeli Air Force retaliated by striking targets in Tyre, Lebanon as well as in the Gaza Strip.[23]

Since 2001, Palestinian groups have frequently fired rockets and mortars into Israel proper, targeting mostly civilians and triggering retaliatory strikes.[24][25][26][27][28][29] Most rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas. During the 2006 Lebanon War, Hezbollah launched a large amount of rockets from Lebanon to Israel.[30] Since the end of the war, attacks from Lebanon have been less common than attacks from Gaza.

Furthermore, two salvoes of rocket fire came from Syria between 9–10 April towards the occupied Golan Heights.[31] It was reported that the Liwa al-Quds, a Palestinian militia loyal to the Assad regime, claimed responsibility for the attack.[32]

On 7 October 2023, Hamas launched a major surprise attack on Israel with rocket barrage and an incursion, igniting the Gaza war. The commander of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Mohammed Deif, claimed the attack was conducted in response to "desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque".[33]

On 6 April 2023, dozens of rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel.[34] The Israel Defense Forces has said that it had intercepted 25 rockets fired from Lebanon.[34] Warning sirens had sounded in the town of Shlomi and in Betzet in northern Israel.[34] A minimum of 4 rockets landed in Israeli territory, wounding three civilians.[34]

According to Israel, the rockets were fired by Palestinian factions Hamas and PIJ with Hezbollah's approval.[35][36] Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee also said that possible Iranian involvement in the attacks was being investigated.[37] Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman, said that Hezbollah and Lebanon shared some responsibility.[38]

In the early morning of 7 April, the Israeli Air Force retaliated by striking targets in Tyre, Lebanon as well as in the Gaza Strip.[39] Israeli airstrikes did not target Hezbollah positions and Hezbollah insisted that it will not get involved in "local attacks" by Israel in Lebanon.[40]

The attacks were the largest escalation between the two countries since the 2006 Lebanon War and came as the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah chiefs met in Beirut.[35][41][42]

Reactions

The Times of Israel reported a senior Israeli official's assessment that police "went too far" in their treatment of the Palestinians, that it lent weight to the al-Aqsa is in danger rallying cry, encouraged Israel’s enemies, and damaged Israel's reputation. The official called for a review of the officers' conduct, as they had been ordered to act with restraint. However, he stated that the police were compelled to enter the mosque after receiving intelligence that numerous Palestinians had stored weapons there with the intention to attack security personnel and Israeli civilians. Another Israeli security official blamed the Jordan-appointed Jerusalem Waqf for not doing enough against Palestinian rioters.[43] The Palestinian Authority and Hamas condemned the Israeli police action, which they described as a crime. Israeli authorities defended their actions as necessary to maintain public order and safety.[44]

  • United Arab Emirates In a statement by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, "strongly condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli police ... and emphasized that worshipers should not barricade themselves inside the mosque and places of worship with weapons and explosives.".[48]
  • Oman The Foreign Ministry of Oman issued a statement denouncing and condemning the Israel Defense Forces' storming of the Al Aqsa Mosque.[49]
  • Syria It was reported that the Liwa al-Quds, a Palestinian militia loyal to the Assad regime (not to be confused with the Al-Quds Brigades), claimed responsibility for the attacks. The IDF said Syria was responsible for such attacks.[50] Israel said that a drone had hit the rocket launchers in Syria. Israeli warplanes also struck targets belonging to the Syrian Armed Forces. The Syrian military said that it had intercepted some missiles, but damage did occur.[50]

Furthermore, the actions of the Israeli Police have been condemned by the ministries of foreign affairs of Qatar,[51] Turkey,[52] Jordan,[53] Saudi Arabia,[54] Bahrain,[55] Iran,[56] Morocco,[57] Algeria,[58] Pakistan,[59] Afghanistan,[60] Bangladesh[61] and Malaysia.[62]

Reaction to Palestine's response

In a written statement, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) described the situation as "extremely serious" and urged restraint. It stated that UNIFIL chief Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz was in contact with authorities on both sides.[63]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Al-Aqsa mosque: Violence as Israeli police raid Jerusalem holy site". BBC News. 5 April 2023. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  2. ↑ Busari, Biodun (5 April 2023). "Israeli police raid, arrest Palestinian worshippers in Al-Aqsa mosque". Vanguard. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  3. ↑ Busari, Biodun (5 April 2023). "Israeli police raid, arrest Palestinian worshippers in Al-Aqsa mosque". Vanguard. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 Salma, Abeer; Tawfeeq, Mohammed; Hauser, Jennifer (5 April 2023). "Israeli police storm al-Aqsa mosque during Ramadan prayers, sparking rocket fire from Gaza". CNN. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Debre, Isabel (5 April 2023). "Violence erupts at Jerusalem holy site for a 2nd night". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  6. ↑ "Operation Protective Edge Numbers". IDF official blog. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015.
  7. ↑ Hadad, Shmulik (10 January 2010). "4 mortar shells fired at Israel; none injured". Ynetnews. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  8. ↑ "IDF Confirms Gaza Militants Fired Phosphorous Bombs at Israel". Haaretz. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  9. ↑ Curiel, Ilana; Zitun, Yoav (3 June 2015). "At least two rockets fired from Gaza, falling in Sdot Negev". Ynetnews. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  10. ↑ "Rocket sirens sound in Tel Aviv after Israel kills Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza". The Independent. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  11. ↑ "11 Days, 4,340 Rockets and 261 Dead: The Israel-Gaza Fighting in Numbers". Haaretz. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  12. ↑ "Hizballah's Attack on Israel". Prime Minister's Office of Israel. Archived from the original on 19 February 2007.
  13. ↑ Gritten, David; Lukov, Yaroslav (5 April 2023). "Jerusalem: Clashes erupt at al-Aqsa mosque". BBC News. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  14. ↑ Williams, Dan (3 April 2023). "Israel detains Passover sacrifice campaigner as Al Aqsa tensions simmer". Reuters. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023 – via www.reuters.com.
  15. ↑ Obel, Ash (3 April 2023). "Police minister: Jews must go to Temple Mount on Passover — but no animal sacrifice". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  16. ↑ ToI Staff (9 April 2023). "Hundreds of Jews tour tense Temple Mt.; Jordan warns against violations of status quo". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  17. 1 2 "Ramadan and Passover raise tensions at Jerusalem holy site". BBC News. 5 April 2023. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  18. ↑ Hauser, Abeer Salman,Mohammed Tawfeeq,Jennifer (5 April 2023). "Israeli police storm al-Aqsa mosque for the second time on Wednesday". CNN. Retrieved 10 April 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  19. ↑ "Israel intercepts rocket fire from southern Lebanon". Al Jazeera. 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  20. ↑ "Israel says more than 30 rockets fired from southern Lebanon". Al Jazeera. 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  21. ↑ Greene, Richard Allen; Gold, Hadas; Qiblawi, Tamara (6 April 2023). "Dozens of rockets fired from Lebanon into Israel after raids on al-Aqsa mosque". CNN. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  22. ↑ "Israel intercepts rocket fire from southern Lebanon". Al Jazeera. 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  23. ↑ "IDF strikes Hamas 'infrastructure targets' in southern Lebanon". Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  24. ↑ "Operation Protective Edge Numbers". IDF official blog. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015.
  25. ↑ Hadad, Shmulik (10 January 2010). "4 mortar shells fired at Israel; none injured". Ynetnews. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  26. ↑ "IDF Confirms Gaza Militants Fired Phosphorous Bombs at Israel". Haaretz. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  27. ↑ Curiel, Ilana; Zitun, Yoav (3 June 2015). "At least two rockets fired from Gaza, falling in Sdot Negev". Ynetnews. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  28. ↑ "Rocket sirens sound in Tel Aviv after Israel kills Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza". The Independent. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  29. ↑ "11 Days, 4,340 Rockets and 261 Dead: The Israel-Gaza Fighting in Numbers". Haaretz. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  30. ↑ "Hizballah's Attack on Israel". Prime Minister's Office of Israel. Archived from the original on 19 February 2007.
  31. ↑ Hauser, Abeer Salman, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Jennifer (5 April 2023). "Israeli police storm al-Aqsa mosque for the second time on Wednesday". CNN. Retrieved 10 April 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  32. ↑ "Israel hits multiple targets in Syria after rockets fired into Golan Heights". BBC News. 9 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  33. ↑ חלבי, עינב (7 October 2023). "מוחמד דף על מתקפת הרקטות: ישראל חיללה את אל-אקצא, קורא לערביי ישראל להצטרף". Ynet (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  34. 1 2 3 4 "Israel says more than 30 rockets fired from southern Lebanon". Al Jazeera. 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  35. 1 2 Greene, Richard Allen; Gold, Hadas; Qiblawi, Tamara (6 April 2023). "Dozens of rockets fired from Lebanon into Israel after raids on al-Aqsa mosque". CNN. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  36. 1 2 Federman, Josef; Akram, Fares (6 April 2023). "Israel stages rare strikes in Lebanon, also hits Gaza Strip". AP NEWS. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  37. ↑ "Israel says more than 30 rockets fired from southern Lebanon". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  38. ↑ "Israel stages rare strikes in Lebanon, also hits Gaza Strip". AP NEWS. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  39. ↑ "IDF strikes Hamas 'infrastructure targets' in southern Lebanon". Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  40. ↑ Ravid, Barak (7 April 2023). "Inside Israel's decision not to target Hezbollah in striking Lebanon". Axios. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  41. ↑ "Hezbollah and Hamas chiefs meet in Beirut: Statement". Al Arabiya English. 9 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  42. ↑ "Hezbollah, Hamas leaders meet in Lebanon amid Al Aqsa raids". Hezbollah, Hamas leaders meet in Lebanon amid Al Aqsa raids. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  43. ↑ "Top Israeli official admits police overreacted in beating Palestinians inside al-Aqsa". The Times of Israel. 9 April 2023. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  44. ↑ "Israeli forces storm Al-Aqsa, attack worshippers during Ramadan". Al Jazeera. 5 April 2023. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  45. ↑ "EU 'deeply concerned' by violence at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque". www.aa.com.tr. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  46. ↑ "Kılıçdaroğlu'ndan tepki: Mescid-i Aksa'daki saldırıyı şiddetle lanetliyorum". www.cumhuriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). 5 April 2023. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  47. ↑ Raycraft, Richard. "Trudeau calls for peace following Israeli raid of mosque". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  48. ↑ "UAE condemns storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli police". www.mofaic.gov.ae. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  49. ↑ "Oman denounces occupation forces' storming of Al Aqsa Mosque". Foreign Ministry of Oman. 5 April 2023. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  50. 1 2 "Israel hits multiple targets in Syria after rockets fired into Golan Heights". BBC News. 9 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  51. ↑ "Qatar condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli occupation forces storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and attacking worshippers". www.mofa.gov.qa. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  52. ↑ Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs (5 April 2023). "Press Release Regarding the Attacks and Provocations On Al-Aqsa Mosque". Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  53. ↑ "الأردن يحذر من استمرار اعتداءات شرطة الاحتلال الإسرائيلي على المصلين". mfa.gov.jo. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  54. ↑ "توضح وزارة الخارجية أن المملكة العربية السعودية تتابع بقلقٍ بالغ اقتحام قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي لباحات المسجد الأقصى الشريف، والاعتداء على المصلين، واعتقالها عددٍ من المواطنين الفلسطينيين". www.mofa.gov.sa. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  55. ↑ "Bahrain condemns Israeli police raiding Al-Aqsa Mosque". www.mofa.gov.bh. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  56. ↑ "Tweet of the Foreign Ministry spokesman". en.mfa.gov.ir. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  57. ↑ "Statement". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  58. ↑ "Algeria condemns storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by the Israeli occupation authority". Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  59. ↑ "Pakistan strongly condemns Israeli raid on Al-Aqsa Mosque – Ministry of Foreign Affairs". 27 March 2023. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  60. ↑ "د ااا د بهرنیو چارو وزارت په الاقصی جومات کي په بې دفاع لمونځ کوونکو د اسرائیلي ځواکونو ظالمانه برید په کلکو ټکو غندي". mfa.gov.af. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  61. ↑ "Ministry of Foreign Affairs". Ministry of Foreign Affairs- Bangladesh. 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  62. ↑ "MALAYSIA STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE ATTACKS BY ISRAELI OCCUPATION FORCES ON WORSHIPPERS IN THE AL-AQSA MOSQUE". Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Malaysia. 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  63. ↑ "UNIFIL urges restraint after Israel intercepts rockets fired from southern Lebanon". Al Arabiya English. 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  64. ↑ O'Connor, Tom (7 April 2023). "What U.S., China and Russia Are Saying About Israel, Gaza, Lebanon Violence". Newsweek. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  65. ↑ "Israel strikes Lebanon and Gaza after major rocket attack". BBC News. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  66. ↑ Sabarwal, Harshit, ed. (6 April 2023). "Lebanon refuses any escalation from its territory: PM condemns barrage of rockets fired towards Israel". WION. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  67. ↑ "Lebanon's PM condemns rockets launched toward Israel from within country". Times of Israel. 6 April 2023. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  68. ↑ "Situation in the Middle East (7 April 2023)". GOUV. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  69. ↑ "Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the rocket attacks against Israel and the escalation of violence in the region". MFA. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  70. ↑ "Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman's reaction to Zionist regime aggression against Lebanon and Gaza". en.mfa.ir. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  71. ↑ "Situation in the Middle East". GOB. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  72. ↑ "قطر تدين العدوان الإسرائيلي على قطاع غزة وتدعو للتهدئة". mofa.gov.qa (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  73. ↑ "Comment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarding the aggravation of the security situation in the Middle East". MFA. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  74. ↑ "Calls for de-escalation at Jerusalem's holy sites: Foreign Secretary statement". GOV. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  75. ↑ Magid, Jacob (6 April 2023). "US says Israel has 'right to defend itself' after Lebanon rockets; UN urges restraint". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  76. ↑ Alberti, Richard Allen Greene, Hadas Gold, Mostafa Salem, Tamara Qiblawi, Mia (6 April 2023). "Attacks in West Bank, Tel Aviv as tensions remain high following Israeli strikes". CNN. Retrieved 11 April 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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