Scuffles broke out between Palestinian Muslim worshippers and Israeli police controlling the entrance to al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site in Islam on Friday, during the last Friday of Ramadan.
Officials said about 120,000 people entered the shrine and grand mufti Muhammad Ahmad Hussein called on the faithful to risk the heavy police presence, which is due to the war in Gaza.
Adli al-Agha told AFP many people had to escape during dawn prayers because Israeli police launched a mini drone spraying tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Police said they arrested eight suspects for inciting terrorism.
Yasser Basha from the West Bank said police were restricting entrance to the mosque to only men over 55, women over 50, and the very young.
Friday also marks the occasion of Laylat al-Qadr, (Night of Power), which commemorates the moment the archangel Gabriel first appeared to the Prophet Mohammed to reveal the Quran, and is the night when Muslims believe their prayers are most likely to be granted.
The Ramadan festivities are subdued amid the war in Gaza, with Palestinians often drinking bitter coffee and a date, a tradition that indicates mourning, when feasts are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Israel’s war against Hamas came after the group’s attack on October 7, when 1,170 Israelis and foreigners were killed, the majority civilians.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed at least 33,091 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
