Israel bans men under 50 from entering al-Aqsa Mosque

The Israeli regime has banned Palestinian men under the age of 50 from attending Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque in East al-Quds ('Jerusalem').

“It has been decided to limit the age of worshippers allowed entry to the Temple Mount to men over 50,” a statement by the Israeli police said Thursday, using the holy site's Hebrew name.

“Entry of women of all ages will be allowed,” the statement added.

The al-Aqsa Mosque compound, located in the Israeli-occupied Old City of al-Quds, is a flashpoint holy Islamic site. The location of the compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism. The mosque is Islam’s third holiest site after Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

The restriction comes as tensions have been on the rise in the occupied West Bank and al-Quds in recent days.

Earlier in the day, clashes erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters in the Beit El settlement near the city of Ramallah when Israeli troops fired tear gas and used live ammunition to disperse the demonstrators, who were angry over provocations by Israeli forces and settlers in Muslims’ third holiest site. At least two Palestinians are reported to have been injured in the attacks by Israeli troops.

According to local sources, during similar clashes in the Shu'fat refugee camp in East al-Quds, at least one Palestinian was killed and six others injured. The Palestinian was shot in the chest, according to the Red Crescent and hospital sources.