Dozens of buses carrying Palestinians were heading toward the old city in Jerusalem Saturday to defend Al-Aqsa Mosque which Jewish extremists threatened to storm on Sunday.

Palestinian security sources said the buses carrying thousands of Palestinian prayers have passed heavy Israeli security checks and obstacles.

The Israeli army has earlier decided to prevent Palestinians aged under 40 from entering Jerusalem to prevent a potential violent showdown with extremist Israelis.

Right-wing Jewish groups said late last month that they planned to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday in protest against Israel's Gaza pullout plan, a threat drawing harsh response from Palestinian militants.

When the Palestinians were approaching Al-Aqsa Mosque, the sources said large numbers of Jews were also streaming toward the site.

The sources estimated there were some 3,000 Jews who were around the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque holding lightening torches.

Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest in Islam, is part of the compound which is called by Jews as the Temple Mount and revered as Judaism's most sacred place.

Source: Xinhua