World

Teenager shot dead in Jerusalem

Israeli border police officers detain two Palestinians during clashes in Jerusalem today. Picture by&nbsp;<br />Mahmoud Illean, AP&nbsp;
Israeli border police officers detain two Palestinians during clashes in Jerusalem today. Picture by 
Mahmoud Illean, AP 
Israeli border police officers detain two Palestinians during clashes in Jerusalem today. Picture by 
Mahmoud Illean, AP 

A teenager has been shot dead in Jerusalem as the city was hit by Palestinian protests over Israel-imposed metal detectors at a contested holy site.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said the 17-year-old was killed near the scene of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police, but the circumstances of his death are unclear.

Officials said 3,000 attended several protests over the detectors Israel placed near a site holy to both Jews and Muslims following a deadly Palestinian attack there last week.

Palestinians rolled burning tyres and threw stones at forces who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. The military said four officers were injured by stones and fireworks.

Thousands of Muslims earlier prayed in the streets near the contested shrine, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount.

The prayers largely ended peacefully, although in three areas near Jerusalem's Old City, Israeli forces fired tear gas to disperse groups of stone-throwers.

Muslim leaders had urged the faithful not to enter the sacred compound until Israel removes the detectors, portraying the measures as an encroachment on Muslim rights - a charge Israel denies.

The city's top Muslim cleric, Mohammed Hussein, told worshippers he expects a "long test of wills" with Israel.

Israel also dug in, saying the devices would stay.

Israel installed the detectors after three Palestinians launched an attack from the shrine a week ago, killing two Israeli policemen. Police said the metal detectors are needed to prevent further attacks.

On Friday, police severely restricted access to the area of the Muslim-administered shrine, and set up checkpoints in and around Jerusalem to prevent widespread protests.

About 3,000 officers were deployed near the Old City, turning away Muslim men under the age of 50. Some worshippers who came from Israel and the West Bank were intercepted before reaching Jerusalem.

Israel's military said thousands of Palestinians also clashed with Israeli forces in the West Bank.