Israeli forces fire tear gas on worshipers at Al-Aqsa mosque

Israeli police used tear gas to disperse worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Saturday (April 6). Earlier on the final Friday prayers of Ramadan, same incident was reported in the Mosque compound.

According to Israeli authorities, thousands of worshippers had assembled for dawn prayers at the Mosque assomebegan chantingproactive slogans and setting off fireworks near police officers.

The Israeli police statement further details the detainment of 16 Palestinians outside the compound.

It is worth mentioning that the Al-Aqsa Mosque has been a frequent flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Palestinian worshippers allege that Israeli authorities have limited access to al-Aqsa since the October 7th conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The compound which is located in the heart of the Old City of Jerusalem, is also known as the third holiest shrine to Muslims, known to Jews as Temple Mount.

Israeli airstrike killed aid workers in Gaza

Meanwhile, an Israeli airstrike on April 2 killed seven people working for the aid charity World Central Kitchen in Gaza. The incident promptedUS and other allies to call for anexplanation from Israelamid widespread condemnation.

Israel's military voiced "sincere sorrow" over the incident, which ratcheted up international pressure for steps to ease the disastrous humanitarian situation in Gaza nearly six months into Israel's siege and invasion of the Palestinian enclave.

The strike on the World Central Kitchen convoy killed citizens of Australia, Britain and Poland as well as Palestinians and a dual citizen of the United States and Canada.

Increasing Israeli Isolation

Australia, Britain and Poland, countries which have generally been friendly towards Israel, all demanded action to protect aid workers, underlining Netanyahu's increasing diplomatic isolation over the situation in Gaza.

At least 196 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza since a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 triggered Israel's assault on the Hamas-ruled enclave. And the deaths of the WCK staffers were "the inevitable result of the way this war is currently being conducted", UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday.

Asked by reporters what the UN would say to the Israeli government over the airstrike, he said, "The message is: Let humanitarian workers do their job."

Israel has been under rising international pressure to alleviate severe hunger in Gaza, which has been shattered by Israel's offensive against the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. Much of the densely populated territory has been laid waste and most of its 2.3 million population displaced.

(With inputs from agencies)