At least 18 Palestinians, including a minor, sustained injuries at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday when clashes erupted between Palestinians and Israeli forces

At least 18 Palestinians, including a minor, sustained injuries at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Sunday when clashes erupted between Palestinians and Israeli forces who were escorting hundreds hardliners commemorating the Jewish fasting holy day of Tisha B'av.

According to Doctor al-Sarkheh who works at the compound’s medical clinic, Israeli occupation forces interrogated him to identify three injured Palestinians, who were taken to a hospital for treatment after being beaten by Israeli soldiers.

Two were identified as Nasser Qawas, the head of Palestinian Prisoner’s Society in Al-Quds, and his son Jihad. The third remained unidentified.

The Palestinian Red Crescent also reported that another 15 Palestinians received medical care for injuries they sustained during the clashes.

Israeli police began enforcing heightened security measures around the compound at noon prayers at the mosque on Saturday, while Jewish worshipers began gathering at the site under armed escort at 7 a.m. on Sunday morning, according to the director of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani.

Palestinian guards of the mosque also escorted Israeli settlers to monitor their acts and behavior, he added.

Witnesses told Ma’an that they saw Israeli settlers performing Jewish rituals inside the compound, in violation of longstanding agreements regarding non-Muslim worship at the site.

Meanwhile, Israeli police stationed outside the compound’s gates imposed restrictions on the entry of Muslim worshipers.