Israeli forces storm al-Aqsa compound
Clashes erupted between Palestinian worshippers and Israeli forces inside east Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque compound after Israeli soldiers stormed the area early Friday afternoon.
"Around 100 Israeli police officers stormed the al-Aqsa's courtyards and assaulted worshippers," one eyewitness told Anadolu Agency.
Witnesses also said Israeli security forces fired rubber bullets to disperse worshippers who were demonstrating against Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Al-Aqsa Mosque director Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani was injured by a rubber bullet, a witness told Anadolu Agency.
The violence broke out as Israel increased security measures on Friday, banning male worshippers under 50 and women under 40, from crossing into east Jerusalem for prayers at the mosque amid its ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Israel's military operation, dubbed Operation Protective Edge, has so far claimed the lives of at least 264 Palestinians in Gaza.
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