Tensions ran high Sunday in annexed east Jerusalem after hundreds of Palestinians were wounded in a weekend of clashes between protesters and Israeli security forces, sparking global concern that the unrest could spread further.
The violence around Jerusalem's revered Al-Aqsa mosque compound and the Old City, mostly at night, is the worst since 2017, fuelled by a years-long bid by Jewish settlers to take over Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem.
Some 121 Palestinians were wounded in Saturday's overnight clashes, many hit by rubber bullets and stun grenades, the Palestinian Red Crescent said in an updated toll. Israeli police said 17 of its officers were wounded.
The previous night more than 220 people, again mostly Palestinians, were hurt after Israeli police stormed Al-Aqsa after they said Palestinians threw rocks and fireworks at officers.
Palestinian protesters run from stun grenades fired by Israeli security forces outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on May 8, 2021. — AFP
Palestinians assist a wounded woman amid clashes with Israeli security forces in Jerusalem's Old City on May 8. — AFP
Israeli mounted police deploy to disperse Palestinian protesters outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on May 8. — AFP
Palestinian protesters hurl stones at Israeli security forces amid clashes in Jerusalem's Old City on May 8. — AFP
Stun grenades burst in the air amid clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, on May 7, 2021. — AFP
Palestinians pray on Laylat al-Qadr during the holy month of Ramazan, at the compound that houses Al-Aqsa mosque, known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in Jerusalem's Old City, May 8. — Reuters
Palestinians assist a wounded protester amid clashes with Israeli security forces outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on May 8. — AFP
A member of Israeli security forces points his riot gun to disperse Palestinian protesters outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on May 8. — AFP
Palestinians react as Israeli police fire a stun grenade during clashes on Laylat al-Qadr at Jerusalem's Old City, May 8. — Reuters
Palestinian devotees pray on Laylat al-Qadr outside the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound on May 8. — AFP
A Palestinian protester runs near a burning barricade in Jerusalem's Old City on May 8. — AFP
Palestinian devotees pray on Laylat al-Qadr outside the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on May 8. — AFP
Israeli security forces try to detain a Palestinian protester outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on May 8. — AFP
A Palestinian protester hurls stones at Israeli security forces in Jerusalem's Old City on May 8. — AFP
Header image: Israeli police officers detain a Palestinian demonstrator during a protest against the planned evictions of Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of east Jerusalem, Saturday, May 8. — AP
8