Video: Israel soldier kicks man offering prayer outside Al-Aqsa, 3 killed

JERUSALEM: A video share by Al-Jazeera shows an Israeli soldier kicking a Palestinian man offering Friday afternoon prayer.

In the footage, a man have been seen holding prayers outside Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and as he kneed on a mat, an Israeli officer kicked him from behind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPGccKxYhjA

The main weekly prayers on Fridays at Al-Aqsa mosque compound typically draw largest number of worshippers-typically thousand.

Tensions rose and protests erupted over new security measures at al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

The Israeli ministers decided to barred Muslim men under 50 from prayer and not to order the removal of metal detectors erected at entrances, a move, Palestinians charging as an Israeli attempt to claim further control over the site.

Worshippers have been refusing to enter due until they removed the metal detectors.

The measures have sparked clashes between worshippers and Israeli police that fired tear gas, live ammunition, and rubber-coated bullets and also thrash them following Muslim Friday prayers.

At least three Palestinians and many were getting treated for their injuries.

The Palestinians who were killed in clashes was an 18-year-old Muhammad Mahmoud Sharf from Silwan, 20-year-old Mohammad Abu Ghannam and 17-year-old Mohammad Lafi.

The controversy has resonated beyond Israel and the Palestinian territories, with the United States and the UN Middle East envoy expressing concern.

With AFP inputs