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Photo: MaanImages/file
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JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- Hundreds of Palestinians performed Friday prayers in the streets of Jerusalem and at the gates of the Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque as Israeli authorities prevented men under the age of 50 from entering the mosque.

Israeli forces were deployed across Jerusalem streets leading to the Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Worshipers performed group prayers across the Wadi al-Juz and Ras al-Amud neighborhoods, the Damascus Gate and Salah al-Din Street and the Moroccans Gate while others prayed at the gates of Al-Aqsa.

Sheikhs and speakers at the prayers condemned the arson attack that took place early Friday morning, where 18-month-old Ali Saad Dawabsha was killed.

Speakers said that Israel's lack of action and punishment of those responsible for the burning and murder of Muhammad Abu Khdeir, 16, last year and the burning religious sites and Palestinian properties led to this “crime.”

Speakers also condemned Israeli preventing Palestinians from reaching the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

In the Bab Hatta neighborhood, Israeli forces detained a Palestinian youth and took him to a police station for interrogation.

Israeli forces assaulted a paramedic, identified as Arin al-Zaanin, at the Lions Gate, witnesses said.

Some 8,000 worshipers performed Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.