Clashes erupt near Al-Aqsa Mosque | Palestine |Axisoflogic.com

Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians near the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on Friday.

Several Palestinians were reported injured, but it was not immediately clear how seriously.

Mosque security guards and Al-Aqsa Foundation officials said less than usual numbers of worshipers were permitted to enter the holy site, and that less than 2,000 attended Friday prayers, which usually draw thousands more.

Clashes erupted between Palestinian women and Israeli forces, the correspondent added. Israeli police were seen striking several women with batons when they attempted to cross through checkpoints in the Old City.

Palestinian residents of Jerusalem were prohibited from gathering in large number, especially near the Ras Al-Amoud area, he added.

Israeli police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said no one was injured, but confirmed that confrontations erupted in the Ras Al-Amoud area.

He said about 300 Palestinians were attempting to break through a restricted area. It was not immediately clear why the area was closed.

Israeli forces imposed a general closure on the West Bank beginning Friday morning, the army said. The decision meant those Palestinians with permits were generally not permitted to access Jerusalem over the weekend.

The move comes in accordance with directives of the Israeli minister of defense, Ehud Barak, following situation assessments, the army said in a statement explaining the closure.

"The IDF will continue to operate in order to protect the citizens of Israel while maintaining the quality of life of the Palestinian population in the area," the statement said, noting that some Palestinians will still be allowed to enter Jerusalem and Israel.

For the duration of the closure, persons who will need to pass for humanitarian reasons, including medical patients en route to care, 1,500 medical workers, 1,100 religious workers, 550 teachers and other professional groups will be permitted to cross subject to the authorization of the Civil Administration, the army said.

Furthermore, the transfer of merchandise will operate regularly while the passage of journalists will also be permitted, the military statement added.

Similar restrictions are put in place during Jewish holidays, including Passover, which begins on 29 March.

For Palestinian citizens of Israel and Jerusalem residents, Israeli police imposed tight restrictions on the entry of worshipers to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Jerusalem Center for Social and Economic Rights reported Thursday.

Police began preventing worshipers under the age of 50 from entering the mosque for prayer on Thursday, while those who were allowed to access had to leave their IDs with Israeli police until they finished and left, the center said in a statement.

The move reportedly infuriated worshipers, and the center condemned the measure as a violation of privacy and freedom to worship. It expected the coming hours to see further restrictions on worshipers after violent clashes left dozens injured a week prior.

Rosenfeld confirmed the age restrictions, which he said were necessitated by recent disturbances at the site, considered to be among the holiest for Muslims and Jews.

"Last week there were no age limits, which Palestinian youths took as an opportunity to riot at the Temple Mount," he told Ma'an, referring to clashes at left more than 50 Palestinians and at least 18 Israeli police officers injured.

However, Rosenfeld said reports of ID restrictions at the site were baseless. "This is completely untrue," he said, adding that while existing restrictions were increased, no new policies were being implemented.

Police have called in extra forces in Jerusalem, upping deployment specifically in the Old City ahead of Friday prayers, he said.

Ma'an News Agency