Israeli forces reopened al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Friday, occupation authorities announced Thursday evening.

Israeli forces reopened al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Friday, occupation authorities announced Thursday evening.

Israeli police were seen deployed in Jerusalem's Old City and at the Aqsa Mosque gates since early morning.

Jerusalem District Police said the holy compound will be open Friday for prayers to men over the age of 50 and women of any age.

“A strategic decision was made to close it in order to prevent any incidents or disturbances from taking place there,” said Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld of the holy site.

 “After security assessments were made Thursday afternoon, the decision was made to reopen the al-Aqsa Mosque Friday morning.”

Al-Aqsa Mosque was shut down to all visitors in the wake of the shooting of an extremist Zionist Rabbi Yehuda Glick.

Throughout the day Thursday, clashes between the occupation forces and Palestinians were reported, following the killing of a former Palestinian prisoner Muataz Hijazi, who was allegedly accused of shooting the extremist Rabbi.

Also on Thursday, US Secretary of State John Kerry said he was worried about the escalation of tensions across Jerusalem and urged leaders to reopen al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslim worshippers.