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Israeli forces besieged dozens of worshippers at the the Al-Aqsa Mosque early Thursday, firing tear gas, stun grenades and rubber coated metal bullets and the Palestinians and injuring at least 21.

Israeli police described the methods used to local media as “riot dispersal means,” without elaborating.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said at least 20 people were injured, one critically.

Thursday's raid on the holy site is the latest of many this week by Israel. At least 150 Palestinians and three Israeli police officers have been injured so far.

The Palestinians have accused Israeli police of using excessive force at the holy site, and Palestinian social media have been filled with videos showing Israeli forces striking what appear to be unarmed Palestinians, including women. 

The scenes of rocket fire and repeated violence in Jerusalem recall the run-up to last year’s war. Last year, the violence also spread to mixed Jewish-Palestinian cities, which hasn't happened in the current wave of unrest.

On Wednesday, hundreds of flag-waving Israeli ultra-nationalists marched toward predominantly Palestinian areas around Jerusalem’s Old City, a demonstration of Israeli control over the disputed city seen as a provocation by Palestinians. Last year’s war erupted during a similar march, when Gaza militants, declaring themselves the guardians of Jerusalem, fired a barrage of rockets toward the holy city.

Those events, along with other developments, led to an 11-day Israeli assault on Gaza that killed over 250 Palestinians and caused extensive damage. Fourteen people were killed in Israel by rocket fire from Palestinian militants.

The New Arab is providing live updates of what's been happening on the ground and additional analysis. 

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