Palestinians denied mosque access

On the first Friday prayers in Ramadan, the Muslim Holy Month, thousands of Palestinians flocked towards the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem to attend prayers.

But, as is often the case, many were not allowed inside to pray.

Israeli authorities have put restrictions on who can attend prayers at the holy site, but they say they are trying to accommodate as many worshippers as possible.

Special permits are available but just for women between the ages of 30 and 45 and men between 45 and 50.

Palestinian officials say that such restrictive measures do not respect the sanctity of the month.

Al Jazeera's Nisreen El-Shamayleh reports from occupied East Jerusalem