JERUSALEM: The Israeli occupation police today shut down Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City and prevented entry to Muslim worshippers, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa, citing the Islamic Waqf department, the Muslim endowment in charge of the holy place.
It said police abruptly and in a surprise move shut down all gates leading to the walled holy compound and prevented Muslims of all ages from entering.
It said the occupation police tightened entry into the mosque since this morning, where only the elderly were allowed to enter.
However, this quickly changed and worshippers of all ages were denied entry into Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, an unusual move not taken in months, Wafa reported.
At the same time, Jews were allowed to enter the Muslim holy compound in the morning to walk around and hold rituals freely in violation of the status quo at the mosque.