Hamas launches rockets at Israel after clashes in Al-Aqsa

In the midst of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover, renewed clashes have broken out on the Temple Mount between Palestinians and members of the Israeli security forces.

The violent riots in Jerusalem's Old City have seen more than 350 people arrested on charges of barricading themselves inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque with sticks, stones and explosive devices. According to an Israeli police spokesman, those arrested included "people suspected of desecrating the mosque", reports i24 News. 

The Islamist Hamas movement has called the events a "religious war" and a "crime" and has responded to the arrests by firing at least 18 rockets at Israel. Hamas, the group that rules the Gaza Strip, has also called on Palestinians to head to Jerusalem and clash with Israeli security forces. 

In response to the rocket fire from Gaza, Israel has targeted two Hamas bases in the Palestinian enclave used for weapons production and storage.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad has also condemned what happened on the Temple Mount, warning of an "inevitable confrontation in the coming days", according to The Jerusalem Post.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has assured that Israel is "committed" to maintaining freedom of worship, free access to all religions and the status quo on the Temple Mount. Netanyahu said the "extremists" who barricaded themselves in the area prevented other Muslims from praying at Al-Aqsa, Islam's third holiest site. "Security forces had to intervene to restore order," he said.

Countries such as Jordan, Turkey and Egypt have condemned the "assault" on the Al-Aqsa mosque by Israeli security forces. Both Amman and Cairo hold Israel responsible for this "dangerous escalation of tension" and its consequences, while Ankara urges the Israeli government to stop "all provocations".

In the midst of this situation, Jordan has asked the Arab League for an emergency meeting to address what happened on the Temple Mount. "This Israeli aggression is unacceptable," the Kingdom's foreign ministry stressed. 

The Islamic Republic of Iran has also seized on the renewed Israeli-Palestinian clashes as an opportunity to slam the Hebrew state. Tehran has denounced the "brutal attack" and accused Israel of "violating the sanctity" of the site.