Clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian worshipers broke out for the second time in Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque on Wednesday, witnesses told Reuters.

Al-Aqsa Mosque, JerusalemPhoto: AHMAD GHARABLI/ AFP/ Profimedia

Israeli police entered the compound and tried to evacuate the worshipers, using stun grenades and firing rubber bullets, Wakuf officials said.

According to eyewitnesses, believers threw objects at the police. No comment from the police.

Israeli police announced that they had “arrested more than 350 people” during overnight clashes outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

The clashes at one of the world’s most famous Muslim shrines come as Muslims enter Ramadan in full swing and Jews celebrate Passover starting Wednesday night, amid a particularly tense atmosphere between Israelis and Palestinians since the start of the year.

Israel and Turkey completed the full restoration of diplomatic relations in January after several years of crisis.

A wave of condemnation after the violence at Al-Aqsa Mosque

International condemnation intensified on Wednesday after overnight violence at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque, where Israeli police entered the mosque to evict Palestinian worshipers at the height of the religious holiday season.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said he was “shocked and appalled” by the “violence and beatings” perpetrated by Israeli security forces.

He stressed that this “moment on the calendar, sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, should be a moment of peace and non-violence,” according to his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

The White House said it was “extremely concerned” and urged “all parties to avoid further escalation” after rocket fire into Israeli territory overnight, prompting a response from the Israeli military.

Turkey on Wednesday condemned the clashes at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque that took place the day before and the entry of Israeli soldiers into the mosque, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying Israel had crossed a “red line”, AFP reported.

“Turkey cannot remain silent in the face of these attacks. Trampling the Al-Aqsa Mosque is our red line,” he said at a meeting of pensioners.

“Palestinians are not alone,” the head of state insisted.