11. There were fewer worshipers than usual for a Friday morning, perhaps deterred by the hundreds of Israeli riot policemen who clustered just outside the mosque compound. 12. Palestinians would also have control over the disputed Al Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City, a site sacred to both Muslims and Jews. 13. Police blocked about two dozen Jewish extremists who tried to enter the adjacent Muslim mosque compound and claim it for Israel. 14. Police entered the mosque compound to stop the disturbances. 15. Palestinians threw stones at Israeli police from the mosque compound, known in Arabic as Haram as-Sharif, or Noble Enclosure. 16. Palestinians would also have control over the disputed Al Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City, an extremely sensitive site sacred to both Muslims and Jews. 17. Police with clubs hit young Palestinian men attempting to enter the mosque compound, and Palestinians heaved stones and bottles. 18. A guard at the mosque compound said the incident began when worshipers started throwing stones at Israeli police and that police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. 19. A guard at the mosque compound said the incident began when worshipers started throwing stones at Israeli police, and that police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. 20. A moment later, rocks came flying over the wall from the Al-Aqsa mosque compound above. |