Israeli forces stop young Palestinians from entering al-Aqsa

MEE’s correspondent on the ground in Jerusalem says that there are heightened tensions in the Old City as Israeli forces have been deployed in large numbers ahead of Friday prayers at al-Aqsa. 

“All the gates of the Old City have been closed off, Israeli forces are stopping people from entering the holy site. There are a large number of Israeli forces deployed around the Old City and they are carrying out thorough checks on every single Palestinian’s IDs,” she says.

“Anyone under the age of 50 has been stopped from entering al-Aqsa, apart from those who live in the Old City,” she added. 

Reinforced barriers have been placed around the Old City, and the movement of Palestinians “depends on the mood of Israeli forces,” she says. 

Young people have been totally stopped from entering al-Aqsa.

Cement blocks have been put around the Old City, while Israeli forces are targeting Palestinians on horseback.