Tight security in Jerusalem for Jewish, Muslim holidays

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM — Israel said Monday thousands of forces would be deployed in Jerusalem ahead of the Yom Kippur and Eid Al Adha holidays after three days of clashes rocked Al Aqsa Mosque compound.

Authorities also said 66 people had been arrested in Jerusalem over the past week, including some detained in connection with the unrest at Al Aqsa which saw Israeli forces clash with Palestinians.

Yom Kippur begins on Tuesday night and lasts until Wednesday evening, with thousands of Jews expected to visit the Western Wall below Al Aqsa compound in Jerusalem's Old City. 

Eid Al Adha holiday begins on Wednesday evening and continues until Sunday.

From Monday night, traffic will be restricted around the Old City and checkpoints will be set up.

Al Aqsa compound will be open to visits as usual on Wednesday, but only Muslims will be allowed access during the four-day Eid holiday, Israeli forces said.

Israeli authorities said they would decide on Tuesday whether to impose age restrictions on Muslims entering the compound. They have previously prevented younger people from entering to reduce the risk of violence when tensions have run high.

Last week’s clashes occurred as Jews celebrated their new year, or Rosh Hashanah. 

Al Aqsa, the third holiest site in Islam, is also venerated by Jews as the Temple Mount and is considered the most sacred in Judaism.

Muslims have been alarmed by an increase in visits by Jews to the site and fear rules governing the compound will be changed. Jews are allowed to visit but not to pray to avoid provoking tensions.