Israel army to Netanyahu: ‘Remove metal detectors from Al-Aqsa’

The Israeli army and police have reportedly requested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reconsider the use of metal detectors at the entrances of Al-Aqsa Mosque for fears of greater unrest in occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank, Haaretz reported today.

Officials urged for a solution to be found that would allow Israel to extricate themselves from the conflict “with dignity”.

The US has echoed these sentiments, the White House yesterday stating that it was “very concerned” over the current crisis and encouraging a reconciliation as quickly as possible, according to Wafa news agency.

American officials have also suggested a compromise where the current standing gates would be removed, providing that Israeli forces would be awarded hand held metal detector wands that they could use to search those they deemed suspicious. Netanyahu has yet to respond to the proposal.

The Waqf authority, which is in charge of Muslim holy sites, has called on all imams in East Jerusalem to cancel tomorrow’s Friday prayers in local mosques in a bid to encourage worshippers to pray in the streets surrounding Al-Aqsa. The appeal could bring tens of thousands of people to the compound, and reinforcements have been promised to Israeli forces as they prepare for further clashes.

Hamas has also called for “Friday of Rage” tomorrow.