The Palestinian Health Ministry says three Palestinians have died in confrontations with Israeli forces over security measures at a major Jerusalem shrine. A Palestinian teen was shot dead as Israeli police clashed with Muslim worshippers after Friday prayers were held in protest outside Jerusalem's Haram al-Sharif-Temple Mount compound. Police threw stun grenades and fired tear gas to disperse stone-throwing protesters.

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Palestinians react after tear gas and stun grenades were fired by Israeli forces after Friday prayer on a street outside Jerusalem's Old City Ammar Awad/Reuters

Thousands of Muslims prayed in the streets near the contested shrine in Jerusalem's Old City, kneeling on mats spread on cobble stone to protest against the installation of metal detectors at the holy site. Muslim leaders had urged the faithful not to enter the sacred compound until Israel removes the detectors.

Access to the shrine for Muslims was limited to men over 50 as well as women of all ages. Ahmad Abdul Salaam, a local businessman who came to pray outside the Noble Sanctuary said: "Putting these metal detectors at the entrance to our place of worship is like putting them at the entrance to our house. Are you really going to put me through a metal detector as I go into my house?"

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Palestinians pray on a street near a road block outside Jerusalem's Old City Ronen Zvulun/Reuters
Jerusalem al-aqsa mosque temple mount
Palestinian worshippers pray outside Jerusalem's Old City in front of the Al-Aqsa mosque compound Jack Guez/AFP
Jerusalem al-aqsa mosque temple mount
Palestinian Muslim clerics speak with Israeli border guards outside the Lions Gate, a main entrance to Al-Aqsa mosque compound, in Jerusalem's Old City Jack Guez/AFP
Jerusalem al-aqsa mosque temple mount
Palestinian worshippers pray outside Jerusalem's Old City in front of the Al-Aqsa mosque compound after Israeli police barred men under 50 from entering the Old City Jack Guez/AFP
Jerusalem al-aqsa mosque temple mount
Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces outside Jerusalem's Old City Ammar Awad/Reuters
Jerusalem al-aqsa mosque temple mount
Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces outside Jerusalem's Old City Ronen Zvulun/Reuters
Jerusalem al-aqsa mosque temple mount
Palestinian worshippers run for cover from teargas, fired by Israeli forces, following prayers outside the Old City of Jerusalem Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images
Jerusalem al-aqsa mosque temple mount
Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian protester during clashes following prayers outside Jerusalem's Old City Ahmad Gharabli/AFP
Jerusalem al-aqsa mosque temple mount
Palestinians run for cover from tear gas during clashes with Israeli security forces outside Jerusalem's Old City Jack Guez/AFP
Jerusalem al-aqsa mosque temple mount
Israeli forces scuffle with a Palestinian worshipper during clashes following prayers outside Jerusalem's Old City after Israeli police barred men under 50 from entering the Old City for Friday prayers Jack Guez/AFP
Jerusalem al-aqsa mosque temple mount
Palestinian youth hurl rocks towards Israeli security forces during clashes after border guards dispersed Muslim worshippers with tear gas following prayers outside Jerusalem's Old City Ahmad Gharabli/AFP
Jerusalem al-aqsa mosque temple mount
Palestinians take cover during clashes between Palestinian worshippers and Israeli security forces outside Jerusalem's Old City Jack Guez/AFP
Jerusalem al-aqsa mosque temple mount
Palestinians carry a wounded man during clashes with Israeli security forces outside Jerusalem's Old City Jack Guez/AFP
Jerusalem al-aqsa mosque temple mount
Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian man following clashes outside Jerusalem's Old City Ammar Awad/Reuters

Tensions have increased around the compound since three Arab-Israeli gunmen shot dead two Israeli policemen outside the complex on 14 July in one of the most serious attacks in the area in years. The assailants were killed by security forces and Israeli authorities briefly closed the compound.

When it was reopened, metal detectors had been installed. Israel says installing the devices at the gates to the walled compound is a routine security measure. Palestinians claim Israel is trying to expand control over the Muslim-run site that is also revered by Jews.

The landmark is revered by Jews as the Temple Mount, or home of biblical Temples destroyed two millennia ago. It is the holiest site of their religion. For now, Jews worship at the Western Wall, a retaining wall of the compound. Muslims believe the hilltop compound marks the spot from which Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. Known to them as the Noble Sanctuary, it is the third holiest site of Islam and houses the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosques.

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