Palestinians continue praying outside Al-Aqsa compound

For the eighth consecutive day since Israeli authorities installed increased security measures at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, hundreds of Muslim worshipers on performed prayers outside of the compound gates in protest on Sunday, as Palestinian political and religious officials expressed their strong opposition to the new Israeli restrictions.

As of Sunday evening, Israeli forces detained at least three Palestinians and injured 21 others in the Jerusalem area amid a harsh crackdown demonstrators, according to Ma'an.

In the wake of a deadly shootout between Palestinian assailants and Israeli police officers on July 14, Israeli forces shut down the Al-Aqsa compound for two days, only to reopen it after having installed security cameras, metal detectors, and turnstiles at the entrances of the compound.

Palestinians have said the move is the latest instance of Israeli authorities using Israeli-Palestinian violence as a means of furthering control over important sites in the occupied Palestinian territory and normalizing repressive measures against Palestinians.

Palestinians have protested the measures by praying outside of Al-Aqsa’s gates.