© Ahmad Gharabli / AFPThe Israeli security forces prevent access to Palestinian pedestrians as they close down a street in the Old City of Jerusalem, July 27, 2018
Protests erupted on the Temple Mount, the location of Jerusalem's most important mosque, on Friday. Israel police say that clashes started after someone attacked them with stones and fireworks, prompting the security forces to respond with grenades and stun grenades, Haaretz reports.
Blasts can be seen on footage that purportedly shows the clashes, while "Allahu Akbar" can be heard in the background.
The gates to the Al-Aqsa were closed after the stand-off, according to AFP and Haaretz, citing the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf controlling the area. Police say several people were arrested and the operation is still ongoing, as some people barricaded themselves inside.
Palestinian media reported that the Israeli forces also "unleashed barrages of bullet fire and acoustic grenades" after the worshipers tried to push them out of the site.
Dozens of Palestinians were injured in the clashes, according to the Palestinian Information Center. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that several people sustained minor injuries, citing the Waqf in Jerusalem.
Comment: It's unclear how this all started but it doesn't really make sense that during prayer Palestinians would start a fight with Israeli forces. Israel is illegally occupying the area and terrorize the worshipers as a matter of routine so it's reasonable to assume they are responsible: