Israeli forces close al-Aqsa mosque

Israeli occupation forces Friday closed most of Al Aqsa mosque's gates and set up roadblocks ahead of protests called for by activists in occupied East Jerusalem after Friday prayers against Jewish settlers' insulting of Prophet Muhammad and recurrent storming of Al Aqsa.

The Israeli police units imposed tight measures on allowing Palestinian worshipers to perform Friday prayers in Al Aqsa as they prevented men younger than 50 years old from entering the mosque, Director General of Awqaf al Quds, Azzam al Khatib said.

This comes in the wake of the recent arson attack carried out by Israeli settlers against two houses in a village in southern Nablus city, killing a toddler and injuring three family members.

In a related context, 300 Palestinian worshipers left the Gaza Strip via Erez Crossing, heading for occupied East Jerusalem to perform Friday prayers in Al Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites.

The crossing is partially opened by the Israeli forces every Friday to allow elderly people to perform Friday prayers there.
Source: MENA