Occupied Jerusalem, March 14, 2010 (Pal Telegraph)- Israeli occupation authorities have continued to close Jerusalem, the Old City and the area around Al-Aqsa Mosque for the third day consecutively, to ensure that extremist Jewish groups break into Al-Aqsa today, as Israeli war minister Ehud Barak has ordered forces to close the West Bank fully until Tuesday midnight.

Settler groups, backed by Israeli army, announced earlier they would storm Al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday and Monday, to establish a Jewish synagogue, followed by laying the foundation for constructing the alleged Temple on Tuesday. 

Israeli occupation forces have increased on Sunday their presence at the entrances to the Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque, prohibited men under the age of 50 from attending prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque and carried out extensive search campaigns in the area.

Israeli occupation forces have sealed off the West Bank and imposed a full curfew until Tuesday-which was supposed to be lifted on Sunday.

Israeli radio reported that these decisions were made to prevent rioting and public order disturbance; however, Israel would allow in humanitarian cases with permits, issued by Israeli Civil Administration.  

Violent clashes erupted on Saturday between the Palestinians and occupation forces at the courtyard of Bab Al-Amud, Sultan Suleiman Street and Al-Misrara market, adjacent to walls of the occupied Jerusalem, due to strict siege imposed by Israeli occupation forces on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City. 

Prominent Palestinian Islamic and national figures urged Palestinians to station at Al-Aqsa Mosque in the coming days, in response to settlers' radical schemes of opening the synagogue and laying the foundation of the alleged Temple on Tuesday.