Just minutes before prayers began in Jerusalem on Friday, a CNN team on the ground heard several loud noises, likely stun grenades.
Smoke was seen near the Lions’ Gate, one of several entrances to the Old City of Jerusalem.
The Israeli authorities closed the road leading to the gate, and imposed restrictions on entry into the Old City.
Police were restrictive about who could enter the city. An eyewitness told CNN that entry to the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex is limited to people over the age of 60.
In a video obtained by CNN, more than 10 Israeli soldiers were seen climbing the stairs leading to Al-Aqsa Mosque.
CNN’s Becky Anderson and her team reported from Jerusalem, overlooking the Old City at midday during prayer services.
“This is the most controversial site in Jerusalem and in fact is at the heart of this conflict,” Anderson said live.
“Anyone can visit, but only Muslims can pray here… The question at this hour is, who will the Israeli authorities, the Israeli soldiers, allow to physically access this site?” Anderson said.
“We’ve been told this access is selective today, but we’ll just have to wait and see how this develops,” Anderson added.
Some context: Restricting access to Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, is a controversial move that could be seen as a provocation. Palestinians living in the West Bank have not been allowed to enter the city for days.
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