Al-Aqsa Tensions Rise as Two Palestinians Killed in Clashes with IOF

Two Palestinians were killed in clashes with Israeli forces Saturday over restrictive Israeli measures at Al-Aqsa holy Mosque.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said Oday Nawajaa, 17, died on Saturday after being hit by Israeli live fire in the West Bank city of al-Eizariya.

Another 18-year-old Palestinian sustained fatal injuries in the West Bank town of Abu Dis when a petrol bomb exploded prematurely, the ministry added.

Tensions erupted in the occupied territories on July 14, when a deadly shooting took place outside Al-Aqsa compound.

Following the incident, Israeli police briefly shut down the al-Aqsa compound and canceled Muslim Friday prayers at the holy site.

Faced with mounting criticism, Israel reopened the compound on July 16, but with metal detectors and surveillance cameras put up at entrances.

Since then, however, Palestinians have been refusing to enter the al-Aqsa compound while holding mass prayers outside the site, many of which have turned violent.

The UN Security Council will hold closed-door talks Monday about the spiraling violence after Egypt, France and Sweden sought a meeting to “urgently discuss how calls for de-escalation in Al-Quds (Jerusalem) can be supported”.

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