AhlulBayt News Agency: Nearly 80,000 Palestinians attended the first Friday prayer of Ramadan at the Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards, despite strict Israeli restrictions aimed at preventing worshippers—especially those from the West Bank—from reaching the holy site.
Local Jerusalem sources said the large turnout occurred under heavy Israeli security deployment and intensified checks at city entrances, particularly at the Qalandia checkpoint, where forces erected barriers, inspected IDs, searched worshippers, and turned many back even when they held valid permits.
Israeli authorities had earlier announced that only 10,000 West Bank Palestinians would be allowed to attend Friday prayers each week during Ramadan, with conditions including age limits: men over 55, women over 50, and children under 12 only if accompanied by a first-degree relative.
However, local reports indicate that these rules were inconsistently applied, with hundreds denied entry without explanation despite meeting the stated criteria.
As part of expanded surveillance, Israel introduced a “magnetic card” system for West Bank Palestinians, requiring them to pass through electronic checkpoints that track their movement from their homes to Occupied Jerusalem.
These measures form part of a broader escalation since October 7, 2023, including limiting worshipper numbers, issuing conditional permits, and increasing digital monitoring.
Dozens of Palestinians were prevented from reaching Jerusalem, while journalists and medical teams faced restrictions at Qalandia. Four paramedics were detained, and military presence intensified across the city.
Around 60,000 worshippers also performed Isha and Taraweeh prayers on the second night of Ramadan at Aqsa Mosque, despite ongoing restrictions.
Israeli forces additionally barred young men from entering through Bab al-Silsila before evening prayers and imposed strict controls on bringing food, even for families arriving to break their fast.
Palestinian and Jerusalem-based groups have urged increased mobilization and greater attendance at Aqsa during Ramadan to counter Israeli efforts to empty the Mosque of its worshippers and isolate it from its Palestinian environment.
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