Israeli forces deployed at a main checkpoint in northern Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank prevented hundreds of Palestinians from crossing into Jerusalem Friday morning, due to recently enforced entry restrictions based on age.

Israeli forces prevented women between the ages of 16 and 30 from crossing to Jerusalem without permits, as well as men from 30 to 50 years old.

Children under 12 and men above 50 were allowed to enter without permits, in addition to women above 30.

Men between the ages of 12 and 30 were reportedly barred entrance to Jerusalem.

Friday morning’s backups at Checkpoint 300 came as Israel announced Thursday several restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City.

Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza are subject to severe limitations on movement into East Jerusalem, part of the occupied Palestinian territory, and Israel has historically made gestures ahead of and during Ramadan, partially easing restrictions at the start of this year’s holy month in mid-June.

Despite this, Israeli authorities implemented new restrictions last week, allegedly in response to attacks targeting Israeli military and settlers, revoking the entry permits of hundreds set to travel.

Israeli military checkpoints have been the site of frequent violence since the start of Ramadan, with two Palestinians killed by Israeli forces at checkpoints and several more injured.

In June, a female Israeli soldier was stabbed and lightly injured at the Bethlehem checkpoint and a border policeman was stabbed and severely wounded at the Damascus gate in the Old City.

Last Friday Muhammad al-Kasbah, 17, was shot and killed with two bullets in the head and chest by an Israeli commander after allegedly throwing stones at an Israeli military vehicle close to the Qalandiya checkpoint south of Ramallah.

He was the fifteenth Palestinian to be killed by Israeli forces since the start of 2015, three of whom were killed in June. MAANNEWS