Israeli police fatally shoot man at Al-Aqsa Mosque

By Nathan Morley

Israeli police have shot dead a Palestinian man at an entrance to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

This incident raised fears of further violence in the country.

Israel radio identified the 26-year-old as Mohammad Khaled – a medical student and resident of an Arab village in southern Israel.

The incident took place late on Friday near the Chain Gate, at one of the main entrances to the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Palestinian witnesses claim police shot the man at least 10 times. Israeli police alleged Mohammad Khaled tried to snatch an officer's gun at an entrance to the mosque.

In recent days, Israeli police have increased their presence in the area as thousands of Muslim worshippers from Jerusalem and the Israeli-occupied West Bank gather for Ramadan prayers.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is Islam’s third-holiest site.