'Israeli settler car' hits Palestinian pedestrians near Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

'Israeli settler car' hits Palestinian pedestrians near Al-Aqsa Mosque compound
An Israeli settler car hit Palestinian civilians near the Lion's Gate at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
2 min read
10 May, 2021
Jerusalem is under attack [Getty]
A car ran into Palestinian pedestrians near the Lion's Gate of Al-Aqsa mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Monday morning.

Palestinian media reports described the driver as an "Israeli settler" who injured civilians after his vehicle hit pedestrians walking on a pavement.

The car became stuck after being lodged into barrier with some pedestrians attacking the driver, who was seen emerging from the vehicle in a blood-covered shirt.

An Israeli officer directing his gun to disperse the crowd, according to video footage of the scene.

Israeli security forces claimed the driver's car was hit by rocks causing the driver to "lose control" of his vehicle and hit the pedestrians.

CCTV footage showed the car reversing as Palestinians confronted the driver, before careering onto the pavement and hitting civilians. It is not yet known how many people were injured.

The Palestinian Authority's official news agency, Wafa, described it as a "settler attack".

Israel has carried out a systematic campaign of harassment and intimidation of Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa Mosque - the third holiest site in Islam - since the start of the month of Ramdan.

Israeli forces prevented the call to prayer at the start of Ramadan and prevented worshippers from breaking their fast around the mosque compound.

It has led to the worst Israeli violence around Al-Aqsa for years.

More than 200 people were wounded when Israeli riot police stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound late on Friday, firing tear gas and rubber-coated bullets at worshippers as they gathered for the final days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Dozens of Israeli riot police entered the Al-Aqsa compound on Friday evening as thousands of Muslim worshippers were holding evening prayers on the last Friday of Ramadan.

The violence in Al-Aqsa drew sharp rebukes across the Arab and Muslim world.

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