Palestinians demand all gates open at East Jerusalem's shrine

Hundreds of Muslims stayed away from Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque on Tuesday despite Israel had removed metal detectors from the site, saying the move does not fulfill the requirement of Muslim worshippers.

Ikrema Sabri, the head of the Supreme Islamic Committee in Jerusalem, said that the Muslim Waqf, which administers the site, would study the changes that Israel made overnight, and compile a report. Based on this report, the Supreme Islamic Council in Jerusalem would make its stance.

The Waqf called on worshippers to avoid the site until the report has been completed.

Additionally, the Palestinians demand to open all of the gates at the walled compound, and not only the two gates through which Muslims can enter Tuesday.

The Waqf's announcement came hours after Israel took down the new metal detectors and surveillance cameras that triggered a recent round of violent clashes near the site, which is known as the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims and Temple Mount to Jews.

However, Israel also said that it plans to use new security measures "based on advanced technologie and other measures instead of metal detectors in order to ensure the security of visitors and worshippers in the Old City and on the Temple Mount."

The detectors, installed following a shooting attack that killed three Israeli policemen, sparked a huge protest.

They are seen by the Palestinians as a violation of the status quo at the Muslim-run compound and an Israeli attempt to gain more control over the site.

Source: xinhua