3 Palestinians, 2 Israeli soldiers killed in clashes in Al-Aqsa

Three Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers were killed during an armed confrontation in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound earlier today.

According to reports, four Israeli occupation soldiers were injured when Palestinians shot at them at around 7am. Two of the soldiers later died.

Image of 2 of the cousins (all same names) that were killed by Israeli Occupiers at Al-Aqsa [Muhammad Smiry/Twitter]

Witnesses told Ma’an that the Palestinians entered Lions’ Gate on a motorcycle and shot at the police officers at point-blank range, before heading towards the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound’s Gate of Remission – known in Arabic as Bab Al-Huttah – where Israeli forces shot them at close range.

Israeli police had closed off sections of the Old City, including blocking access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Read: Israel forces fire tear gas at worshippers in Al-Aqsa

The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, was also prevented from entering Al-Aqsa.

He said this was the first time that Israel had prevented Muslims from performing Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa since 1969.

“We insist on reaching Al-Aqsa mosque and performing prayers there,” Hussein told Ma’an. “The occupation preventing us from praying marks an assault against our right to worship in this pure Islamic mosque.”

Israeli forces take security measures outside Al-Aqsa compound after Israeli soldiers shot 3 Palestinians who allegedly were carrying a gun on 14 July 2017 [Muhammad Smiry/Twitter]

Israeli forces take security measures outside Al-Aqsa compound after Israeli soldiers shot 3 Palestinians who allegedly were carrying a gun on 14 July 2017 [Muhammad Smiry/Twitter]

Israeli forces take security measures outside Al-Aqsa compound after Israeli soldiers shot 3 Palestinians who allegedly were carrying a gun on 14 July 2017 [Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu Agency]

Israeli forces take security measures outside Al-Aqsa compound after Israeli soldiers shot 3 Palestinians who allegedly were carrying a gun on 14 July 2017[Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu Agency]

Israeli forces take security measures outside Al-Aqsa compound after Israeli soldiers shot 3 Palestinians who allegedly were carrying a gun on 14 July 2017 [Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu Agency]

A Palestinian is seen dead on the ground inside Al-Aqsa compound after he was shot by Israeli forces on 14 July 2017 [Mahmoud Ibrahem/Anadolu Agency]