Jerusalem Funeral of Palestinian Killed in Al-Aqsa Clashes Spills Into Violence

Clashes broke out on Monday between Palestinians and Israeli forces, as thousands gathered in Jerusalem for the funeral of Walid al-Sharif, a 21-year-old Palestinian man who died of his wounds on Saturday after being seriously injured in clashes with police on the Temple Mount last month.

Violence was reported near the Old City, in the area around the cemetery, and one Palestinian was reported seriously injured. He underwent resuscitation near the graveyard. Police further reported of the arrest of 20 suspects who took part in the clashes.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said 10 others were taken to hospital, with some of them hit by rubber-coated bullets.

"Hundreds of lawbreakers and rioters are throwing stones, sticks and objects, launching fireworks and trying to harm police forces at the site," a police statement said.

Mourners took Shareef's body for prayers at the Al Aqsa Mosque before proceeding to the cemetery, chanting “With our souls and blood, we will redeem you, martyr." Some held Palestinian flags.

Six police officers were lightly injured by the stone throwing, police said, and the forces responded with riot dispersal means.

According to the Palestinians, Israeli police opened fire on a Palestinian vehicle during the funeral. In a statement, police said a car with five Palestinians inside sped toward officers, who responded by firing at the car and ultimately arresting the five. No casualties have been reported in the incident.

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Al-Sharif, who was from an East Jerusalem neighborhood, suffered a brain injury about three weeks ago when police entered the Temple Mount compound while firing sponge-tipped bullets. Police claimed that he was throwing rocks at forces and was injured when he fell while trying to run away, but Palestinian sources who were on the Temple Mount that day said he was hit with a sponge-tipped bullet.

He lost consciousness due to the head wound, and police evacuated him to a Jerusalem hospital. News crews filmed police dragging him while he was unconscious. Al-Sharif was anesthetized and intubated after being transferred to a different hospital, and he succumbed to his wounds on Saturday.

His body was released by the police to his relatives on Monday for burial. The hospital has not determined whether al-Sharif was hit by a sponge-tipped bullet or if he was wounded by a fall.

The Associated Press contributed to this report