BICOM

Following its removal of metal detectors on Tuesday night, Israel last night removed infrastructure for surveillance cameras and metal barriers worshippers were meant to pass through before reaching inspection posts.

Palestinians gathered at the entrances of the site to celebrate the removal of the security measures and set of firecrackers. One man described the removal as a “victory”.

However, it was not immediately clear whether the Waqf would now give their approval for worshippers to re-enter the site. Thursday’s morning prayers took place outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque as they have been since the extra security measures were installed following the shooting attack on July 14 in which two Israeli police officers were killed at one of the entrances to the site.

The removal of all remaining security measures seemingly complies with the list of demands issued yesterday by the Waqf, which included reverting access to its levels prior to July 14, reopening five gates to the Temple Mount closed in the latest crisis, the removal of new cameras installed in the Temple Mount area, and the removal of the metal barriers placed at the entrances.

Jerusalem’s Grand Mufti Muhammad Ahmad Hussein has reportedly given the all clear for Muslims worshippers to return to pray on the Temple Mount.

Muslim leaders and Waqf leaders are set to attend a meeting with Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas this morning to discuss this latest development.

The Palestinians viewed the installation of security measures as an attempt by Israel to assert further control over the holy site, a charge Israel has consistently denied.