Hamas holds Gaza rally to ‘defend’ Al-Aqsa

NO ACCESS: Israeli security forces stand in front of a Palestinian worshipper performing Friday prayers in a street outside the Old City in east Jerusalem on Friday. (AFP) GAZA CITY: Hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza participated in a Hamas-organized rally Friday over Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque, the scene of recurring clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians in recent days. Leaving mosques after prayers in Gaza City, they chanted slogans pledging to defend the mosque and waved green flags, the color of the Hamas movement that is de facto ruler of Gaza. The rally was also attended by other Palestinian factions, including Islamic Jihad. Ismail Radwan, a Hamas leader, called on “our people in Jerusalem and the West Bank to defend Al-Aqsa.” Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri said 5,000 people participated in Friday’s prayers at Al-Aqsa, which passed without event. Police had barred men under the age of 50 from accessing the holy site to prevent disturbances. AFP