Such arbitrary entry bans forced scores of Muslim worshippers to perform their prayers at the gates of al-Aqsa Mosque and in the alleys of the Old City in al-Quds (Jerusalem), Al-Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage said in a statement on Friday.

This is while a number of Palestinian worshippers pushed their way through the military checkpoints randomly set at al-Hatta gate, before being forced out of the area by heavily armed Israeli police forces, the statement added.

The entry bans have been issued under the pretext of age restrictions, denying those who were under the age of 50 from entering the highly-revered Mosque.

Large number of Israeli patrols have been deployed across the alleys of the Old City and al-Aqsa gates, in an effort to continue heavy-handed crackdown on the Palestinian residents of the area.

Despite such brutal measures by the Israeli regime, Palestinian residents of al-Quds and natives from the 1948 occupied lands along with a number of West Bankers insisted on performing their prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, the Foundation noted.

The development came as the Israeli war machine continued its deadly onslaught on the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip for the 5th day bringing the number of killed residents to 122, according to latest reports.

The violent attacks have also left hundreds injured and caused major damages to many homes and businesses in the populated enclave.

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