We watched as younger males walked in direction of Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate that leads into the {Old} Metropolis – and finally the al Aqsa Mosque – to attend Friday prayers.
A line of law enforcement officials instructed them they could not go in and pushed them again up the road previous espresso outlets and kebab stalls.
The Israeli authorities had dominated that no person below 60 years {old} might pray this Friday on the al Aqsa Mosque.
In actuality, I noticed plenty of males youthful than 60 being allowed to go, however youngsters and males of their 20s and 30s have been barred.
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Inside the traditional partitions following the alleyways that lead previous the 14 stations of the cross, there have been extra checkpoints.
Whereas we might go utilizing our press IDs, the worshippers have been directed to the Lion’s Gate entrance to the mosque – however once more, no younger males have been allowed.
Small teams as a substitute gathered within the slender streets, getting ready to hope within the open till police moved them alongside too.
The excessive safety was inevitable after the occasions of this week, and it was assured after requires a “day of rage” by Hamas the world over.
Israeli forces turned away some worshippers
A lady shouts on the troopers
Certain sufficient after prayers in Jerusalem, small teams of males outdoors the {Old} Metropolis’s partitions threw stones on the safety forces, who returned hearth with tear fuel and sprayed skunk water – a foul smelling liquid – from an armoured water cannon truck.
This was nothing distinctive although; actually I’ve seen rather a lot worse on different “extraordinary” Fridays right here.
After the Hamas raid on Israel, there was an expectation right here for potential for actual hassle, but when something, issues felt quieter than normal.
Sky Information contacts throughout the Palestinian communities instructed us there was a sense the Israelis have been in no temper for leniency.
And I believe many thought it wasn’t value risking their lives to make some extent.
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There’s a grave concern amongst Palestinians over what’s going to occur within the coming days.
As we left prayers and handed by way of the {Old} Metropolis, I spoke to Hamed Shalodi who instructed me this “large warfare” will imply increasingly more deaths of civilians.
“It’s totally unhealthy you recognize to see this taking place between Palestinians and Israelis, struggle one another and kill lots of people from this facet and that facet, it isn’t good,” he stated.
“It is good we reside collectively, and the preventing, if doable, we cease it now.”