‘Israeli’ forces limit weekly Al-Aqsa worshippers to 10,000
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- ‘Israeli’ forces impose strict restrictions on West Bank worshippers at Al-Aqsa for first Friday of Ramadan.
- Thousands of Palestinians face checkpoints and age-based entry limits, highlighting ongoing efforts to control access
Thousands of Palestinians began arriving in Jerusalem to perform the first Friday prayer of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque, despite heavy security cordons and restrictive measures imposed by ‘Israeli’ authorities targeting worshippers from the West Bank.
Jerusalem Turned Military Garrison
The entrances to the Old City and routes leading to the holy site were heavily fortified, with over 3,000 soldiers and police officers setting up checkpoints and inspecting IDs.
Sources reported that the heightened alert at Qalandia checkpoint prevented many from reaching the mosque, with only around 2,000 worshippers able to cross by early morning.
Restrictive Entry Rules
'Israel' imposed severe limits, capping West Bank worshippers at 10,000 and restricting access to men over 55 and women over 50, all requiring prior “digital” security permits.
Palestinian Authorities Condemn Measures
The Jerusalem governorate denounced the restrictions, calling them an attempt to reduce Palestinian presence at Al-Aqsa and deny believers their right to access their holy sites. Despite these obstacles, the steady flow of Palestinians toward the mosque underscored their resilience and determination to maintain their identity in the face of repression.
