foreground muslim worshippers kneeling and in the background Israeli police officers next to metal detectors
Muslim worshippers, who refuse to enter due to new security measures including metal detectors and cameras, pray as Israeli border policemen stand outside the Lion's Gate, a main entrance to Al-Aqsa mosque compound, in Jerusalem's Old City, on July 16, 2017, after security forces reopened the ultra-sensitive site. Israel took the highly unusual decision to close the Al-Aqsa mosque compound for Friday prayers, leading to anger from Muslims and Jordan, the holy site's custodian. It remained closed on July 15, while parts of Jerusalem's Old City were also under lockdown. / AFP PHOTO / MENAHEM KAHANA

Jerusalem holy site opens after shooting

Hundreds of Muslim worshippers visited a Jerusalem holy site after Israel reopened the compound following a rare closure in response to a deadly shooting last week that raised concerns about wider unrest.

For the first time in decades, Israel closed the site – known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount – on Friday after three Arab citizens of Israel opened fire from the sacred site with automatic weapons, killing two police officers.

The three were later shot dead inside the compound.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that following consultations with security officials the site would be reopened Sunday afternoon with increased security measures that included metal detectors at the entrance gates and additional security cameras.

 

Read the full article by Associated Press at The Australian.