JERUSALEM, Friday, March 01, 2019 (WAFA) – Dozens of Palestinians recently banned entry into Al-Aqsa Mosque compound performed Friday noon prayer outside the Lions’ Gate of Jerusalem’s Old City.

WAFA correspondent said that dozens of Palestinians recently banned entry into Al-Aqsa Mosque compound performed Friday noon prayer outside the Lions’ Gate, also known as Bab al-Asbat, opposite to the ancient Islamic cemetery of Bab al-Rahma.

The worshippers performed their prayer while being surrounded by Israeli military police deployments.

Dozens of Palestinian Muslim worshippers, including Waqf-appointed guards of the mosque compound, have been barred entry into the holy site following recent tensions over the closure of the metal gate leading to Bab al-Rahmeh, on the eastern wall of Jerusalem’s Old City.

Chief among those barred entry are head of the Islamic Religious Endowments (Waqf) Sheikh Abdel-Azeem Salhab and his deputy Sheikh Najeh Bkeirat.

Bab al-Rahmeh has been shuttered by Israeli since 2003. At the time, the closure was justified on the grounds of alleged political activities, but the building has remained closed ever since.

The closure of the metal gate with chains and locks was perceived by Palestinian Muslims as a harbinger to the division of the mosque compound and allocation of the eastern section for Israeli Jewish settlers.

K.F.