Israeli-Palestinian strife has risen sharply in recent weeks as Arab states and Palestinians have accused Israeli forces of violations at the mosque.

The military said troops shot a Palestinian woman as she tried to stab a soldier.

Saying that Hirsch was subject to "a campaign of defamation and character assassination", he apologized for the damage he said has been caused to he and his family.

Washington has been wary of Moscow's support for Assad and US officials have said such deepening ties are troubling.

Following a meeting in Paris with French President Francois Hollande, the Palestinian leader said the situation in Jerusalem was "a very dangerous one."

The incident was first reported by the London-based 'Jewish Chronicle' newspaper.

Similar to each year, as child bicyclists and pedestrians take over the country’s major arteries, the nation’s urban centers experienced much more breathable air for the duration of the holiday.