40,000 Palestinians Perform Eid Al-Adha Prayers at Al-Aqsa as Israeli Forces Block Thousands
The Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem reported that strict closures limited worshippers’ access, preventing thousands from entering.
WAFA, the Palestinian news agency, stated that Israeli forces confronted worshippers en route to and from Al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday morning, barring dozens from participating in Eid prayers.
According to WAFA, Israeli forces entered Al-Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards early in the morning, checked worshippers’ identities, hindered their movement, and forced many young men to pray outside the mosque’s entrances.
Simultaneously, in the southern occupied West Bank city of Hebron, thousands performed prayers at the Ibrahimi Mosque despite security restrictions of the occupation.
Ghassan Al-Rajabi, Head of the Hebron Endowments Department, said that “the measures taken by the occupation on Eid Al-Adha aim to prevent Palestinians' access to holy sites, especially the Ibrahimi Mosque."
Worshippers had to navigate military checkpoints and electronic gates to enter and pray at the Ibrahimi Mosque, according to Anadolu Agency.
Read More:
Eid al-Adha is a significant Muslim holiday honoring Prophet Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his son as per divine instruction.
This year’s observance occurs against the backdrop of an ongoing Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip that began with an Oct. 7 operation by Palestinian resistance movements.
Despite UN Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate cease-fire, the Israeli attacks have killed nearly 37,300 Palestinians since last October, predominantly women and children, with almost 85,200 injured as per local health authorities.
The war has left extensive destruction across Gaza amid a severe blockade restricting access to food, clean water, and medical supplies.
Source: Agencies
