TEL AVIV, Oct 31: Israeli police restricted access to the Al Aqsa mosque compound for the first Friday of Ramazan.

Only married men over 45 and married women over 35 would be allowed to enter the compound, the police said.

The number of special permits granted to Palestinian worshippers from the Gaza Strip and the rest of the West Bank was also limited to 5,000 amid fears of fresh attacks inside Israel.

Clashes broke out between Israeli soldiers guarding the exit of the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem and Palestinian residents who wanted to cross the checkpoint to attend prayers in Jerusalem, witnesses said.

The army responded to stone-throwing with teargas grenades but no serious injuries were reported.

After the incident, the soldiers allowed through a few faithful of over 55 years of age, the witnesses added. —AFP