Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has slammed an attack by Israeli forces on the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East al-Quds (Jerusalem), where Palestinian worshipers were targeted.

"The presidency strongly condemns the attack by the occupier's military and police against the al-Aqsa Mosque and the aggression against the faithful who were there," a statement from Abbas' office said on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Israeli forces stormed the holy site and clashed with the Palestinians inside.

According to Palestinian witnesses, Israeli forces entered the mosque and caused damage.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="555"] Israeli forces stand guard as Palestinians walk away from tear gas smoke during clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East al-Quds (Jerusalem) on September 13, 2015. ©AFP[/caption]

The clashes erupted hours before Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year. The Israeli regime usually imposes restrictions on Muslim worshipers' access to the al-Aqsa Mosque on the first days of Rosh Hashanah.

The Tel Aviv regime has tried to change the demographic makeup of al-Quds over the past decades by constructing illegal settlements, destroying historical sites and expelling the local Palestinian population.

By Press TV