GAZA, April 1 (Saba) -- Tension spread in all areas of Jerusalem (Al-Quds) while Jewish extremists planned to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque on Thursday, according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

Hundreds of Palestinians were able to enter the mosque late Wednesday and early Thursday, and are stationed there in an attempt to check the Jewish intrusion, Palestinian radio stations said.

Witnesses said Israeli Police dispatches forces around the mosque and closed all but three gates leading into the building. Israeli helicopters are flying on low altitude over Jerusalem, they added.

The closure of the gates, except for Hitta, Al-Silsila, and Al-Nathir gates, coincided with search and inspection operations around Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israeli Police banned the entrance of cars to the streets around the city's Old Town on Friday.

It said the decision is part of preparations for Jewish rituals to take place in the Buraq Wall area, which is called the Wailing Wall by the Jews.

On Wednesday, Israeli Police banned Palestinians who are younger than 25 from entering the mosque and performing Al-Asr prayer.

Meanwhile, extremist Jewish groups called supporters to mass rallies that will march to Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards where sacrifices will be offered on the occasion of the Jewish Passover.

The groups are led by Temple Mount Guardians group which a few days ago put ads on buses calling for demolition of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the construction of a Jewish temple in its place.

According to Radio Israel, the Jewish rallies will begin from Al-Buraq Wall, cross through the Old Town, and head to Al-Aqsa Mosque's courtyards.

In the meantime, Fatah's official responsible for Jerusalem's dossier Hatim Abdulqader called all Palestinians to head to the mosque and stay in it to prevent any
Jewish intrusion on Thursday.

He told the Voice of Palestine radio station that he fears that the Israeli Police would allow the Jewish extremists to enter the mosque through Al-Magharba gate, from which foreign tourists and Jewish extremists usually enter.

Israeli Police will be responsible for the consequences if it allows the Jews to enter Al-Aqsa, he stressed.

He said that Israeli authorities closed the gates before the Palestinians to reduce their numbers and worsen the odds against them.

Israeli forces closed Bethlehem's northern crossing several days ago, preventing Arabs and foreign tourists from crossing from Israeli to Jerusalem. That coincided with a closure in all areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

About a week ago, an extremist Jewish body distributed releases demanding Jerusalem's Palestinians leave the city.

It said that the city belongs to the Jews "only" and no one else was allowed to live in it according to the Torah.

Saba