Violent clashes broke out between Israeli security forces and Palestinians in East Jerusalem for the second night in a row late Monday, as Israelis celebrated the Rosh Hashanah holiday.
Dozens of masked rioters lit trash cans, threw Molotov cocktails and rocks, and shot fireworks in the direction of forces at several locations across East Jerusalem, according to a police statement.
No injuries or damage were reported. Border Police were deployed across the area to enforce order and clear the protesters using riot dispersal methods, police said.
A video uploaded to social media on Monday night appeared to show the arrest of several young men by Border Police in the A-Tor neighborhood.
Security forces remain on high alert amid a crackdown on terror groups in the West Bank, and concerns of terror attacks during the Jewish High Holidays.
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Security presence has been bolstered in the West Bank and Jerusalem in order to deal with the mounting threats. In recent days, several violent clashes have occurred between Palestinians and police in East Jerusalem and in the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount.
מזרח ירושלים – המעצרים נמשכים במזרח העיר. ב-אטור עימותים בעת מחאה בדרישה להשבת גןפת השאהיד , מוחמד אבו ג'מעה.
א-טור, עד כה דווח על חמישה עצורים : שאדי אבו אלהווא, בן 18, אחמד איהאב אבו סביתאן, בן 19, אדהם איאד אלהדרה, בן 19, ח'אלד אבו סביתאן ומוחמד עבד אלסלאם אלהדרה.
>> pic.twitter.com/PkSknhGwSX— רסאלה (@RISALA_2) September 26, 2022
Earlier on Monday, police arrested 14 people suspected of rioting and causing disturbances in Jerusalem’s Old City.
According to police, a group of young Palestinians barricaded themselves overnight in the Temple Mount’s Al-Aqsa Mosque and began launching fireworks and attacking security forces when Jewish pilgrims visited the site.
Clashes also took place around the nearby Lion’s Gate to the Old City, with police saying rioters threw rocks at officers.
On Sunday, shortly after Rosh Hashanah started, Palestinian rioters shot fireworks at Border Police in the Silwan neighborhood in East Jerusalem. No injuries were reported.
Earlier on Monday, an Arab Israeli man was handed over by police to the Shin Bet security service for questioning in connection with an apparent attempt to derail a train in northern Israel by placing an obstacle on the railway tracks.
Police said there was no damage or injuries as a result of the incident, which occurred on the Rosh Hashanah holiday when the trains were not running.
Meanwhile, the Wafa news agency reported that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called Defense Minister Benny Gantz to congratulate him on the Jewish New Year.
Though there was no official statement from Gantz’s office due to the holiday, an Israeli official confirmed the talks and said the two also discussed the current security situation.
An Israeli Border Police officer stands at her post near the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, which is under heightened security for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, Monday, Sept. 26, 2022.(AP Photo/ Maya Alleruzzo)
Tensions have spiked in recent months after the Israel Defense Forces embarked on its operation in the West Bank, which followed a series of deadly terror attacks between mid-March and the beginning of May in which 19 Israelis were killed.
Israeli troops have repeatedly come under gunfire during nightly raids in the territory.
Dozens of Palestinians have been killed, making 2022 the deadliest year in the territory since 2015. Most, but not all, of the Palestinians killed, have been wanted terrorists, or young men and teenagers violently confronting soldiers, including throwing stones, firebombs or opening fire.
Israeli security officials have warned in recent months that the Palestinian Authority, controlled by Hamas rival Fatah, is losing control of the northern West Bank.
