Dozens of Muslim faithful rioted at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, prompting Israeli security forces to employ riot control measures, as Jewish visitors were allowed to ascend the Temple Mount for the first time in weeks.
One officer was lightly wounded in the clashes.
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Israeli security forces argue with Palestinian faithful at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound
Among the visitors was also MK Yomtob Kalfon of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's nationalist Yamina Party, who received jeers from other Jewish visitors.
Israel Police said that dozens of Palestinian rioters lobbed stones and other projectiles at police while shouting nationalist chants. Forces pushed the rioters back into the mosque as they began throwing objects "while damaging and desecrating the mosque," according to a police statement.
Police said visits continue as usual without interruption to worshipers in the Temple Mount area, and security forces are working to secure and maintain order at the site. Police have also cited sprawling online misinformation as a catalyst of tensions at the Jerusalem shrine.
"That is fake news with no bearing in reality that aims to mislead the public, escalate and exacerbate the already tense situation. We call on the public not to listen to fake news and this wild incitement that is spread mostly by hostile parties on social media," the police said in a statement.
"It should be noted that there is no change to the state of affairs that had existed for many years on the Temple Mount regarding prayers or visits by Israelis and tourists at the site. Anyone who breaches the rules in the holy places or acts violently will be treated with zero tolerance."
The Gaza Strip-based terrorist group Hamas on Wednesday threatened an outbreak of violence if Jews are allowed to ascend the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on Israel's Independence Day.
"Israel is playing with fire if it allows Jews to burst into the al-Aqsa Mosque tomorrow. This fire play will drag the region into an escalation for which Israel will be responsible," the terror group said.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also issued a statement ahead of Israel's Independence Day celebrations.
"We will not hesitate to defend al-Aqsa and Jerusalem, and we warn of the consequences of the settlers' calls to invade the mosque. We call for al-Aqsa to come and confront the settlers."