42 Palestinians injured in clashes at Al-Aqsa mosque compound

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Fresh clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police at Al-Aqsa mosque compound injured 42 people on Friday, the Palestinian Red Crescent said, following weeks of violence at the flashpoint site.

The unrest came on the final Friday in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. None of the injuries were serious, the Red Crescent said, adding that 22 people had been taken to hospital.

Israel's police said that forces entered the compound after 'rioter' hurled stones and fireworks, including down towards the Western Wall, the sacred Jewish site below Al-Aqsa.

The statement said officers used 'riot dispersal means' to contain the unrest. Witnesses and AFP reporters said police fired tear gas and rubber bullets.

Police said three people had been arrested, two for throwing stones and one for "inciting the mob". Over the past two weeks, nearly 300 Palestinians have been injured in clashes at the Al-Aqsa compound.