Israeli police storm Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during Ramadan prayers

Before dawn on 5 April, Israeli police stormed the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem during Ramadan prayers.

According to Aljazeera, 12 Palestinians were injured in the morning. Palestinian officials say at least 400 people have been arrested.

"Israel is upholding religious freedom, freedom of access to all religions and the status quo, and will not allow violent extremists to change this," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

As custodian of Jerusalem's holy sites under the "status quo" agreement, Jordan condemned the "egregious" storming of the mosque.

After the storm, the Israeli Defence Forces declared nine rockets were fired towards Israel from the Gaza Strip.

An Israeli police statement said they were forced into the area after "masked agitators" closed inside the mosque with fireworks, sticks and stones.

The White House also reacted to the situation in Jerusalem.

“We call on all sides to avoid further escalation,” the White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said. “Now more than ever, it is important that Israelis and Palestinians work together to reduce tensions and restore calm.”

More violence between different faiths is expected in the next few weeks as important religious holidays like the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover are coming.