BICOM

A Palestinian was injured this morning after having opened fire at IDF troops guarding Jewish worshippers at Joseph’s Tomb in the West Bank city of Nablus.

According to initial reports, some 1,400 worshippers had gathered for morning prayers at the site where it is thought the Biblical figure Joseph is buried. Situated in the Palestinian Authority (PA)-administered city of Nablus, access for Jews is restricted to special occasions including the current period of Jewish High Holy Days. Apparently, Palestinians began hurling rocks at the outer perimeter of security and Israeli troops fired tear gas in response. At least one Palestinian then opened fire on IDF soldiers, who returned fire injuring one attacker. According to Haaretz, the injured Palestinian attempted to flee but was caught and then treated by troops for moderate to serious wounds before being transferred to an Israeli hospital. No injuries were reported among the worshippers or IDF soldiers.

This morning’s incident comes just days after twenty two Palestinians were arrested following rioting during the Jewish New Year at the Temple Mount area in Jerusalem in which both the Western Wall and the al-Aqsa Mosque situated. Adding to the tension, a PA spokesperson yesterday condemned visits by Jews to the Temple Mount, calling them an attempt to “Judaize and divide” the site with the ultimate goal of rebuilding a Jewish Temple there. According to the Jerusalem Post, the spokesman claimed visits by Jews to what is considered one of the religion’s holiest places was a “green light to settlers to escalate their assaults against Palestinians and their holy sites and properties.”

Meanwhile, on Tuesday the Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigade, which is affiliated to the Fatah faction of PA President Mahmoud Abbas distributed leaflets calling for “all our units and sleeping cells” to launch attacks against Israel on Friday in protest at attempts to “Judaize and divide” the Temple Mount.