In what Israeli police claimed was a response to riots, Israeli police allegedly attacked scores of worshippers in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem before dawn on Wednesday.

The event provoked demonstrations throughout the occupied West Bank, and nine missiles, according to the Israeli military, were fired from Gaza at Israel after sirens were heard in southern towns.

Seven Palestinians were hurt during altercations with Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent, by rubber-tipped bullets and beatings. It said that its medics were unable to reach the mosque due to Israeli soldiers.

Israeli police said in a statement that it was forced to enter the compound after masked agitators locked themselves inside the mosque with fireworks, sticks and stones. Police also said that the agitators threw stones and fired fireworks from inside the Mosque at the Police when they entered the Mosque.

Palestinian groups condemned Israel’s attacks on worshippers, which they described as a crime.

Since last year, there has been an increase in violence in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. This month, as Passover, Easter, and the Jewish holiday of Ramadan all fall on the same day, there are fears that tensions will rise even further.

Furthermore, tension at the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, also known to Jews as the Temple Mount, has resulted in violence in recent years as well.