Palestinians boycott al-Aqsa entry for third day over Israeli security measures

Israeli authorities installed metal detectors and cameras at the entrances to the sensitive holy site after reopening it on Sunday following a two-day closure.

Days earlier, three Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli police officers near the religious site before being shot dead.

As in previous days, Palestinian worshippers prayed in the streets outside the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, rather than pass through the metal detectors.

Israeli police said a number of Palestinians entered the compound, although the area has appeared largely empty.

Both the attack and subsequent security measures have increased tensions at the flashpoint holy site, with protests and scuffles reported between Israeli police and Palestinians.

Late Monday, a 17-year-old Palestinian was shot and critically injured during clashes in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Silwan, located adjacent to the Old City.

Israeli forces raided the Makased hospital where he was being treated on Tuesday and detained him, the hospital said.

Six other Palestinians were also arrested in Jerusalem overnight.

Many Palestinians fear that the new Israeli security measures are a way of changing the delicate status quo at the contentious site.

Since Israel's occupation in 1967, Jordan has been custodian of the mosque.

Jews are allowed to visit the compound but not pray there, a ruling supported by Jewish Halakhic law. In recent years, a movement in Israel to establish full Jewish sovereignty over the site has gained momentum.  

Once considered fringe and extreme, the movement now enjoys support from moderate rabbis and politicians.

Agencies contributed to this report