It is reported that two Palestinians have been killed in clashes with Israeli troops. Israeli soldiers shot and killed a 12-year-old boy in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. And Israeli forces shot dead a man in the southern West Bank town of as-Samua, near Hebron.
Israel has stepped up security in Jerusalem amid fears of trouble as Muslims mark the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan. However, in a bid to reduce tension, restrictions have been lifted allowing young Arab men living in the city to visit the al-Aqsa mosque. However Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip are still excluded from entering Jerusalem to pray there. Israel also agreed to open Gaza airport, which has been closed for a month.
