Israel restricts Al-Aqsa access

Zionist troops closed most gates leading into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound Thursday morning, leaving only two open.

All worshipers under 40 years old were barred by Zionist regime’s police from entering the compound, and prayed together in the streets adjacent to the Haram Ash-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary) which houses the mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

Palestinian worshipers on Thursday evening clashed with extremist Jewish settlers after they stormed under police protection the courtyards of the Aqsa Mosque.

About 105 settlers escorted by a large force of Israeli policemen desecrated the courtyards of the holy Mosque at eight o'clock in the morning after Jewish groups declared yesterday their intention to enter the Mosque to celebrate a religious festival.

The guards of the Aqsa Mosque said a number of Palestinian worshipers who stayed at the Mosque after dawn prayers raised their voices in the face of the settlers and clashed with them, but the Israeli policemen intervened to protect the settlers and detained three Palestinians.

For its part, Al-Aqsa foundation for endowment and heritage reported that the Israeli occupation forces closed at dawn the gates of the Aqsa Mosque except two gates and barred Palestinian worshipers under age 40 from entering the Mosque.

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