21st Anniversary of Al-Aqsa Intifada


Today marks the 21st anniversary of Al-Aqsa Intifada, which broke out on September 28, 2000, when Ariel Sharon, former leader of the Israeli opposition, stormed Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa with big forces of the Israeli occupation. 
Sharon provoked the feeling of the Palestinians as he walked inside Al-Masjid and said that it will remain an Israeli zone. Thus, the Israeli occupation forces attacked the prayers, killed seven Palestinians, and injured 250 others. In return, 13 soldiers were killed. The escalation extended to include the West Bank, occupied Palestinian territories, and Gaza. 
Al-Aqsa Intifada, also known as the Second Intifada, was distinguished by the escalating military operations between the Palestinian Resistance and the occupation army. As a result, 4412 Palestinians were killed and 48322 injured, while 1069 Israelis were killed and 4500 injured. 
Wide areas of the West Bank and Gaza were exposed, during the Intifada, to military incursions, destruction of houses, and dredging of thousands of acres. 
One of the prominent events of the Intifada is the assassination of Rehavam Ze'evi, the occupation's minister of tourism, by the Palestinian Resistance. Also, the occupation's government adopted the policy of assassination against different Palestinian leaders. 
Al-Aqsa Intifada ended on February 8, 2005 after an agreement between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian Authority in Sharm Al-Sheikh's summit.

Source : PALM Strategic Initiative Centre