50,000 Palestinians perform Friday prayers at Aqsa despite Israeli restrictions

According to the Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem, approximately 50,000 Muslims attended the Friday prayer at the revered holy site.

The Israeli forces were heavily deployed around the mosque, with a significant police presence at the entrances, in the surrounding areas, and throughout the alleys of the city. Security personnel were stationed at the external gates of the mosque, where they enforced strict measures, including searching the bags of female worshipers and checking the identification of male attendees. Several worshipers were reportedly prevented from entering the mosque through the King Faisal Gate, and a young man was arrested near Bab Al-Asbat after being assaulted by Israeli forces.

In addition to these measures, Israeli authorities imposed further restrictions on Palestinians from the West Bank, making it more difficult for them to access the Aqsa Mosque compound. Despite these challenges, thousands of Jerusalemites also performed the Fajr (dawn) prayer at the mosque earlier in the day, showcasing their resilience and determination to uphold their religious practices in the face of ongoing adversity. (ILKHA)