Israeli police dispersed the rioters using stun grenades and has arrested eight Palestinian youths as tense calm prevailed in the area in the run up to the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, described the clashes as a "Zionist crime" and a provocation calling upon Palestinians to retaliate against Israel. Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, said the Israeli assault is part of a central Israeli decision to escalate in the whole region. He said this escalation might reach neighbouring Arab countries. Sunday violence did not affect prayers at the Western Wall ahead of Yom Kippur, which is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar and starts at sundown. Israel Defence Forces have imposed a complete closure on the West Bank until the end of Yom Kippur due to security concerns. The site has been under Israeli control since 1967,but is administered by a Muslim religious body known as the Waqf.