A security measure in a context of high tensions. Israel on Tuesday (April 11th) banned Jewish visitors and tourists from accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem by the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Meanwhile, the Israeli army said it shot dead two armed Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, illustrating the continuing tensions.

The Israeli government's decision regarding Al-Aqsa comes after Israeli police interventions to dislodge hundreds of pilgrims from the mosque last week provoked rocket fire into Israel from Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. The Israeli military responded with airstrikes.

In a statement released by his office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had decided, after a meeting on security, to suspend visits to the Al-Aqsa Mosque for non-Muslims until the end of Ramadan, expected around April 20.

There was no immediate comment from the Palestinians on the decision, which Israel has taken in the past.

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Israel's Minister of National Security, ultranationalist Itamar Ben-Gvir, denounced the move. "When terrorism strikes us, we must respond with great force, not give in to its whims," he said in a statement.

In a context of escalating tensions between Israelis and Palestinians over the past year, this period of Ramadan was all the more feared as it coincided this year with Passover.

Two Palestinians from Fatah's armed wing killed by Israeli army

On the sidelines of Netanyahu's announcement, the Israeli military said two armed Palestinians in a vehicle opened fire on a military post near a Jewish settlement near Nablus in the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli army said it had opened fire and "neutralized two assailants" who fired from their vehicle towards the Elon Moreh military position, located near the Palestinian city of Nablus.

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In pursuit of other suspects, soldiers discovered several weapons in the area, including two M-16s, according to a military statement, which said there were no injuries in the ranks of the army.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the two men as Saud Abdullah Saud al-Titi and Mohammad Ghazi Abu Dhraa, who were killed by Israeli bullets in Deir al-Hatab.

In a statement, Fatah said they belonged to its armed wing, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and originated from Nablus' Balata refugee camp.

"I congratulate the soldiers who eliminated two terrorists who opened fire on them near Elon Moreh," Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant wrote on Twitter. "The soldiers prevented an attack on Israeli civilians," he added, hailing "a successful operation."

With Reuters and AFP

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