Israel eases Jerusalem shrine limits as 90 wounded in Gaza and West Bank

In a bid to ease tensions due to the ongoing escalating violence, Israel allows Muslims of all ages to enter Jerusalem's most holy site to perform Friday prayers.

On Friday, Israel's military reported troops shot a Palestinian after he stabbed a soldier in the West Bank. According to Israeli media reports, the Palestinian who is a 16-year-old and the soldier were both taken to hospitals. 

Nearly 90 people, out of which 52 were Palestinians, have been shot dead by Israelis at the scene of attacks or during protests in the West Bank and Gaza since October 1. Nine Israelis have been stabbed or shot dead by Palestinians.

In Amman, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met and voiced hope they might find a way to ease the tensions but offered no details. The violence has in part been triggered by Palestinian anger over what they see as Jewish encroachment on the al-Aqsa compound, Islam's third holiest site which is also revered by Jews.

Kerry will also met King Abdullah of Jordan, who is custodian of the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's walled Old City. From Amman, he is due to fly to Riyadh, where he was expected to meet Saudi King Salman, the Saudi crown prince, deputy crown prince and foreign minister.

Read: Palestinians torch Jewish shrine amid 'revolution' calls

The Jerusalem shrine revered by both Muslims and Jews has been at the centre of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and violence. It is the holiest site in Judaism, revered by Jews as the Temple Mount, once home to their biblical Temples. It is the third holiest site in Islam and houses the Al-Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques. Palestinian perceptions that Israel is trying to expand its presence at the Muslim-run site has been the cause of the clashes, which has spread through Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israel has accused Palestinian political and religious leaders of inciting violence by lying and denies it is trying to change the understanding where Jews are allowed to visit, but not pray at the shrine. Jewish activists visiting the shrine demanding prayer rights, including members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government have put Palestinians at unease.

Read: John Kerry sees hope of defusing tensions after meeting Benjamin Netanyahu

It has been reported, it was after security assessments, the age restrictions were lifted. Over the past few weeks, Israel had barred younger Muslims from entering the compound. Muslims perceive the attempt to stop the youth as part of Israeli attempt to step up its control. Israel had also barred Palestinians from Jerusalem's Old City for two days after twin attacks on Israelis that also left the perpetrators dead.​

Figured released by the UN on Friday, reveal, Israel has set up 38 obstacles, 20 road barriers, 17 manned checkpoints. UN said the count was conducted on Wednesday. Israeli troops have placed blocks near Rachel's Tomb in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, a Jewish holy site where hundreds are expected for a pilgrimage on Saturday night.

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