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Thousands perform Eid prayers at Al-Aqsa compound days after violent raid

International Desk
13 May 2021 16:51:43 | Update: 13 May 2021 22:43:53

Muslims perform the Eid ul-Fitr prayers, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, outside the Dome of the Rock mosque in the Al-Aqsa mosques compound in Jerusalem early on May 13, 2021. --AFP photo

Palestinian Muslims performed the Eid ul-Fitr prayers in the Al-Aqsa mosque’s compound in Jerusalem on Thursday, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, days after Israeli forces attacked worshipers in the compound, reports Al Arabiya.

Tensions have soared over Israel's planned eviction of Palestinians from a district in east Jerusalem, which Israel sees as part of its eternal capital but is considered occupied by the United Nations.

Muslims perform the morning Eid ul-Fitr prayer, marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, outside the Dome of the Rock mosque in the Al-Aqsa mosques compound in Old Jerusalem early on May 13, 2021. --AFP photo

Several nights of clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police, particularly around the Al-Aqsa mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, spiraled early this week into a barrage of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza strip and rocket fire from Gaza.

The sharp escalation has killed at least 32 Palestinians in the blockaded Gaza Strip and three Israelis and wounded hundreds more.

Muslim women blow up balloons as worshippers celebrated the Eid ul-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, after the morning prayer at the Al-Aqsa mosques compound, with the Dome of the Rock mosque in the background, in Old Jerusalem early on May 13, 2021. –AFP photo

Despite the confrontations and attacks, photos and videos showed an estimated 100,000 worshipers gathered at the holy site to perform the Eid prayers.