The Israeli military on Friday afternoon closed off border crossings with the West Bank and Gaza Strip, amid widespread fears that the weekend could see yet more violence following bloody skirmishes between police and Palestinian protesters atop Jerusalem’s Temple Mount Friday.
The closure — normally a standard practice during festivals and holidays — comes as increased tensions around the convergence of the Passover, Ramadan and Easter holidays in the coming days have set the region on edge, following weeks that have seen an uptick in West Bank clashes as Israeli forces have attempted to crack down on Palestinian terror following a rash of deadly attacks.
In contrast to the morning’s intense fighting, during which more than 150 Palestinians and three Israeli police officers were wounded, afternoon prayers for the second Friday of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque ended relatively calmly. (Read More)
