Israel shutters crossing to Gaza workers after firing of rockets
Tensions are heightened following recent clashes
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Israel said Saturday it would close its border crossing to thousands of Gaza workers.
"The reopening of the crossing will be decided accordingly with a security assessment," the Israeli military body that coordinates civilian affairs in Gaza said in a statement.
In recent months, Israel had issued thousands of work permits to Palestinians from Gaza. Israel portrayed the move as a goodwill gesture, but the permits also give the country a strong form of leverage over Palestinians.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}ISRAELI POLICE, PALESTINIANS CLASH AGAIN AT AL-AQSA MOSQUE IN JERUSALEM AMID HEIGHTENED TENSIONS
Israel grants permits to some 12,000 Palestinians in Gaza and more than 100,000 to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Palestine called the decision "collective punishment" against the territory's 2 million residents.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The action comes after rockets were fired from the territory ruled by the militant Hamas group.
Palestinians gather for Friday prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, hours after Israeli police clashed with protesters at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City Friday, April 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Israel said Palestinian militants fired two rockets late Friday, and Palestinian media reported that two Gaza residents were wounded.
Another rocket was fired from Gaza early Saturday, but the military did not say where it landed, and there were no reports of casualties or damage.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The rocket fire came after clashes at a Jerusalem holy site last week.
On Friday, Israeli police and Palestinians clashed at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
GAZA VIOLENCE INTENSIFIES AS JERUSALEM CLASHES RESUME
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The skirmish began after some Palestinian youths at the site started throwing rocks at police and setting off fireworks.
Police responded in full riot gear, firing rubber bullets and stun grenades.
The Palestinian Red Crescent medical service said at least 31 Palestinians were wounded, including 14 who were taken to hospitals.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Police said a policewoman was hit in the face by a rock and taken for medical treatment.
Hamas supporters wave green Islamic flags during a rally in solidarity with Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Jerusalem at the main road of Jebaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, Friday, April 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Journalists, who were shown in video footage identifying themselves as members of the press, were also fired at, and at least three Palestinian reporters were wounded by rubber bullets.
Later on, following midday prayers, a small group of Palestinians waving Hamas flags marched and attempted to break into an empty police post inside the compound.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}However, police used a drone to drop tear gas on them.
Israel blames the violence on incitement by Hamas and says its security forces are acting to remove rock throwers in order to ensure freedom of worship for Jews and Muslims.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Protesters wave the Palestinian and Hamas flags after Friday prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, hours after Israeli police clashed with protesters at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City Friday, April 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Israeli police and Palestinians have frequently clashed there in the last week despite temporarily keeping Jews away for the last 10 days of Ramadan to avoid any provocation, which is a normal practice.
Nearly a year after the Israel-Palestinian 11-day war, the violence has raised fears of another war between Israel and Hamas.
Fox News' Brie Stimson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.