Restrictions and deprivation - 80,000 worshippers perform Friday Prayers at Al-Aqsa
Israeli measures and restrictions prevented tens of thousands of Palestinians from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque on the second Friday of the holy month of Ramadan.
The Islamic Endowments Department estimated the number of worshippers on the second Friday of Ramadan at approximately 80,000.
Israeli forces and their various elements were deployed along the roads of the Old City, at its gates, and at the gates of Al-Aqsa, where metal barriers and barricades were placed. Security forces were also deployed along the streets adjacent to the Old City and nearby neighborhoods, closing many roads leading to the Old City. Specific routes were designated for buses transporting worshippers.
At the gates of Al-Aqsa, forces randomly stopped young men and boys, searched them, and confiscated the identity cards of dozens of them before allowing them to enter Al-Aqsa.
The largest number of worshippers were residents of Jerusalem and those from the Palestinian 1948 lands, while the number of West Bank residents was small due to the restrictions and procedures imposed on their entry into Jerusalem. These procedures include obtaining a "magnetic card" and a permit via the "coordinator's app," which specifies entry times (from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Each person is also required to return to the checkpoint through which they left to "fingerprint" to confirm their return to the West Bank. No more than 10,000 worshippers from the West Bank were allowed to enter.
As for age restrictions, men under the age of 55 and women under the age of 50 were prohibited from entering, while children under the age of 12 were permitted to enter provided they were accompanied by a parent and presented with a birth certificate.
Those deported from Al-Aqsa Mosque performed their prayers on the roads leading to it and at its gates.
Over the past few weeks, the occupation authorities have deported dozens of Palestinians, and the forces also detained a number of young men entering or exiting Al-Aqsa.
Nidal Asfour and Mohammad Asfour were arrested from the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Nidal was released on the condition that he be banned from entering Al-Aqsa for 15 days and placed under house arrest for two days.
For the second year in a row, the occupation authorities continue to prevent ambulance crews from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque or setting up tents in its courtyards to provide assistance to incoming worshippers.
