Israel on Monday said an Iranian missile exploded over Jerusalem’s Old City and its fragments fell around the holy city’s complex that hosts some of the most sacred sites to Christian, Muslim and Jews.
A photo shared along with a social media post, posed by Israel, showed what appeared to be a large metal ring, believed to be part of a missile landed at the roof of a structure adjacent to the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial.
The attack, which Tel Aviv said originated from Iran, comes days after the Israel said that the Iranian regime was launching missiles toward Jerusalem during the month of Ramadan.
Was Al-Aqsa hit during missile attack?
The incident unfolded after a shrapnel from ballistic missiles fired by Iran and debris from the Israeli interceptors that shot them down fell around Jerusalem’s Old City on Monday, AFP cited Israeli police as saying.
There were no reported casualties or major damage reported at the Al Aqsa Mosque. The mosque in the Al Aqsa compound, also known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christian and as Temple Mount for Jews, has been a flashpoint site which is holy to the three faiths.
Photos distributed by the Israeli police showed three officers carrying the large metal ring off the roof adjacent to the Holy Sepulchre, according to AFP.
Another image showed a police cordon around a small area in the Al-Aqsa compound with small fragments strewn on the floor.
There was no reported damage to the Al-Aqsa Mosque or its neighbouring structures in the missile attack. The Isreali Police, in a statement, said that district police, bomb disposal teams, and Border Police units have secured the sites and are currently working to eliminate any risk to the public.
The attack comes at a time when the holy city was already cleared by the Israeli authorities in view of retaliatory strikes from Iran at Israel and the Middle East. Since the start of the conflict, the Israeli authorities have barred access to the Old City for anyone other than residents or shop owners.
The Israel’s Civil Administration has also cancelled Friday prayers, along with other prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque since the start of the Islamic month of Ramadan.
