News - Israeli troops fire tear gas at Palestinians trying to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israeli troops in East Jerusalem used tear gas and water cannons against Palestinians trying to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers, Al Jazeera reports. The imposition of Israeli restrictions has resulted in a significant reduction in the weekly number of worshippers, plummeting from 60 000 people to a mere 4 000 in recent weeks. “Many Palestinians are staying at home in the face of severe restrictions on their movement and what they call Israel’s collective punishment,” an Al Jazeera correspondent reports. “Locals here say they want peace, but that’s not possible as long as Israel maintains its occupation.”