By Qais Abu Samra
RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA): A Palestinian youth was shot dead by Israeli forces in occupied East Jerusalem on Friday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Meanwhile a 16-year-old Palestinian was killed on his way to pray Friday Prayers in Al-Aqsa Mosque.
In a statement, the ministry identified the slain Palestinian as 18-year-old Yusef Wajih Wajih from the village of Abbwin north of Ramallah.
According to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, the incident — in which a 45-year-old Israeli was also reportedly injured — occurred near the Bab al-Amud, one of the gates of Jerusalem’s Old City.
Earlier Friday, another young Palestinian was killed by Israeli troops while trying to cross the separation barrier between Bethlehem and Jerusalem to perform Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The slain Palestinian, Abdullah Ghaith, was from the Fawwar refugee camp near the West Bank city of Al-Khalil (Hebron).
The Israeli authorities have banned all Palestinian men under 40 from entering Jerusalem on Fridays without special permits.
[Photo: People carry the dead body of 16-year old Palestinian teenager Abdullah Ghaith killed by Israeli troops while trying to enter Jerusalem to perform Friday prayers, during a funeral ceremony in Hebron, West Bank on May 31, 2019. Photographer: Mamoun Wazwaz/AA]