75,000 Palestinians attend Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa despite Israeli restrictions

JERUSALEM (AA) – Around 75,000 Palestinian worshippers gathered at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem for the fourth and final Friday prayers of this Ramadan despite Israeli restrictions and harassment.

Sheikh Azzam al-Khatib, director-general of the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem, confirmed: “75,000 worshippers performed Friday prayers today.”

Israeli forces were heavily deployed across the city and several roads around the Old City were closed.

Reporters on the ground observed a strong Israeli police presence at the gates of the Old City, within its narrow alleyways, and near the outer entrances of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israeli authorities prevented Palestinian men under the age of 55 and women under 50 from the occupied West Bank from entering Jerusalem to reach the mosque, barring tens of thousands from attending prayers.

According to reporters, the number of worshippers at Al-Aqsa this Ramadan was significantly lower than in previous years due to Israeli restrictions.

In his Friday sermon, Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, the grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine, praised the worshippers who made the journey to Al-Aqsa, stating that their presence “reaffirmed their commitment to the sacred site.”

Since the outbreak of the war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, Israeli authorities have imposed strict measures limiting Palestinians’ access from the West Bank to East Jerusalem.

Palestinians consider these restrictions as part of Israel’s broader efforts to Judaize East Jerusalem, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and erase its Arab and Islamic identity.

The Al Aqsa mosque is the third holiest site in Islam.