40,000 Perform Friday Prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque
The Islamic Endowments Department in al-Quds reported that 40,000 worshipers attended the Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Additionally, prayers in absentia were held for the souls of martyrs from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Eyewitnesses noted that Israeli forces deployed checkpoints in the Old City and at Lions Gate, coinciding with the arrival of citizens for prayers.
Several young men were reportedly searched, had their identities checked, and were prevented from entering the mosque.
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Since the start of the Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank in October 2023, Israeli forces have intensified security measures at the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the entrances to the Old City.
Citizens from al-Quds or Palestinians from the 1948 territories have occasionally been barred from entering the mosque for prayers.
Israeli forces have also restricted tens of thousands of citizens from the West Bank governorates from entering al-Quds through military checkpoints surrounding the city.
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The restrictions as Israeli forces are allowing extremist settlers to storm the mosque and make provoking tours at Muslims’ third-holiest site.
Source: Agencies
