"Israel is working to maintain the status quo and calm the spirits on the Temple Mount.

Muslim worshipers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque testify that the Muslim extremists who barricaded themselves in the mosque imprisoned them there and prevented other Muslims from coming to the mosque to pray.

They barricaded themselves in the mosque with weapons, stones and fireworks.

After the authorities' attempts to negotiate failed and the extremists refused to allow Muslim worshipers to enter the mosque, and even threatened to disrupt the noon prayers today, the security forces had to act to restore order.

Israel is committed to maintaining freedom of worship, free access to all religions and the status quo on the Temple Mount, and will not allow violent extremists to change this.