Israeli forces detains Grand Mufti of Jerusalem

CAIRO – 14 July 2017: Israeli forces on Friday detained Grand Mufti of Jerusalem (preacher), Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, in Jerusalem after performing Friday prayers behind the barriers on the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The grand mufti is in charge of Jerusalem's Islamic holy sites, including the Al-Aqsa mosque.

In addition, the Israeli forces attacked and arrested several Palestinians who performed prayers in the streets of Jerusalem, which led to the outbreak of confrontations directly after the prayer.

On Friday morning, the Israeli forces announced that Friday prayers for Muslims would not be held at Al-Aqsa mosque and prevented the Grand Mufti from entering the Mosque from multiple entrances. The Grand Mufti, called on all Palestinians to perform Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque following the Israeli prevention decision.

Early on Friday morning, three Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers were killed during an armed confrontation in the Old City of East Jerusalem early.

Furthermore, on Friday morning, Israeli forces killed an 18-year-old Palestinian, Baraa Hamamda, during a detention raid in al-Dueisha refugee camp in the Bethlehem, West Bank.

According to Palestinian “Maan news” agency, the toll of Palestinians killed by Israelis in 2017 is 43, and eight Israelis have been killed by Palestinians during the same period.