Israel bans Palestinians from entering al-Aqsa Mosque

The Israeli regime has prevented Palestinian worshipers from entering the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East al-Quds (Jerusalem), Press TV reports.

The report said that the Israeli regime forces blocked all entries to the city as well as to the holy site from early in the morning on Sunday.

Israeli police banned Palestinian men under the age of 35 and all Palestinian women from entering the holy site.

According to the report, a group of Israeli settlers are planned to tour the compound on Monday.

The al-Aqsa compound, which lies in the Israeli-occupied Old City of al-Quds, is a flashpoint. The compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism. It is also Islam’s third-holiest site after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

The al-Aqsa Mosque has been the scene of clashes in recent months following frequent visits by Israeli settlers and officials to the Muslim holy site. Israeli forces also prevent Muslim worshipers from freely entering the mosque.

In May, the Israeli regime prevented Palestinian worshipers from entering the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. As a result of the restrictions, dozens of people held prayer services near the main gates of the compound.

The development comes as Israel has been pounding numerous sites inside the besieged Gaza Strip and killing innocent residents of the impoverished Palestinian enclave since July 8.

The air, sea and land strikes have so far killed at least 1,850 Palestinians and injured over 9,300 others.

The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, has been launching retaliatory attacks against Israel.

Israeli sources have confirmed the deaths of nearly 70 soldiers. However, Hamas says the toll is over 150.