Eight people have been killed in a weekend of violence following new Israeli security measures at an ultra-sensitive
Here is a timeline of events related to the crisis:
On July 14, three Arab Israelis armed with automatic rifles and a knife exit
The assailants flee back into the flashpoint holy site, which includes Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, before being shot dead by security forces.
Arab Israelis are descendants of Palestinians who remained on their land following the creation of the state of
The site remains closed the next day, while parts of
Late on July 15, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces the site will open the next day and security forces will install metal detectors and surveillance cameras to prevent further attacks.
But when the compound opens on July 16 with metal detectors in place, Muslim worshippers refuse to enter due to the new security measures, which they perceive as a means for
Prayers are instead held in the streets leading to the site.
The compound is located in east
From July 16 to 20, sporadic clashes break out after prayers.
Muslim worshippers hold firm in their resolution to not enter the compound while the metal detectors remain in place as concerns rise over a possible escalation of the situation.
On July 20,
But after consultations with the security establishment, Netanyahu decides to leave the metal detectors in place, though allows police to apply discretion in using them.
Ahead of Friday prayers on July 21, Israeli police take the rare measure of closing off the
Mass protest prayers are held around
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas says he is freezing contacts with
Later the same day, a Palestinian breaks into a Jewish home in the settlement of Neve Tsuf in the
The Israeli army says the assailant had spoken of the
On July 22, clashes in east
Diplomats say the UN Security Council will hold closed-door talks two days later about the spiraling violence after
On July 23, a rocket fired at
The Israeli cabinet convenes, with officials not ruling out removing the metal detectors if a satisfactory alternative to them is approved by police.
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