Violence at Jerusalem mosque prompts fears of wider fighting

By MAHMOUD ILLEAN and FARES AKRAM
Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli police have stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City, firing stun grenades and beating Palestinian youths who hurled firecrackers in a burst of violence during a sensitive holiday seasons. Gaza militants responded with rocket fire on southern Israel, drawing an Israeli airstrike in response. The violence came as Muslims mark the holy month of Ramadan and Jews prepare to celebrate Passover at sundown Wednesday. Such confrontations at the contested holy compound have sparked deadly cross-border wars between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers in the past.