Tens of thousands of Palestinians performed prayers on the third Friday of the holy month of Ramadan at Al Aqsa Mosque today, despite the strict military measures imposed by Israeli occupation forces.
The Islamic Waqf (Endowment) Department in occupied Al-Quds said around 80,000 worshippers attended the Friday prayers at Al Aqsa.
The Israeli occupation forces imposed severe restrictions on worshippers coming from the West Bank to occupied Al-Quds to pray at the holy mosque.Tens of thousands of Muslim worshipers prayed at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on the third Friday of Ramadan, despite the massive Israeli restrictions.
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Israeli forces at the Qalandiya checkpoint, north of occupied East Jerusalem, inspected personal identification cards and prayer permits, but dozens of Palestinians, despite having the necessary documents, were reportedly blocked from entering.
On March 6, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved stricter restrictions for Palestinians wanting to access Al-Aqsa Mosque on Fridays during Ramadan.Israeli occupation forces close the gate of Qalandiya checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, to West Bank residents heading to Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers.
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Under the new restrictions, only men over 55, women over 50, and children under 12 will be permitted to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The decision coincides with ongoing daily incursions by hundreds of Israeli settlers into the compound.