Palestinian worshippers sit outside Jerusalem's Old City after Israeli police barred men under 50 from entering the Old City for Friday Muslim prayers as tensions rose and protests erupted over new security measures at a highly sensitive holy site on July 21, 2017.
The rare ban came after Israeli ministers decided not to order the removal of metal detectors erected at entrances to the Haram al-Sharif mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, following an attack nearby a week ago that killed two policemen. (AFP PHOTO)
RAMALLAH, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Health Ministry said three Palestinians were killed Friday in clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces after Friday noon prayers.
Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces in East Jerusalem, and the third died from his wounds during clashes with Israeli soldiers in the nearby town of Abu Dis.
Palestinians called for a day of rage protesting against Israel's new security measures taken at the entrances of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, including the installing of metal detectors and cameras.
Palestinians were further angered Friday after Israel barred Palestinian men under 50 from access to the mosque for doing Friday prayers.
Israeli security forces fired rubber bullets and stun grenades at Palestinian protesters as clashes erupted outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the West Bank cities of Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem, Salfit and Nablus.
At least 200 Palestinians were also injured during the clashes, Palestinian medical sources said.
Palestinian Muslims refuse to go through the metal detectors to enter the mosque, accusing Israelis of attempting to claim further control over the holy site of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known as the Haram al-Sharif compound by Muslims and the Temple Mount for the Jews.
On Thursday night, Israeli cabinet decided not to remove the metal detectors and cameras installed at the entrances since last Sunday.
The measures were taken after last Friday's shooting, in which three Israeli Arab gunmen killed two Israeli policemen near the compound before shot dead by Israeli police after a chase.
