On the first Friday of Ramadan, thousands of Palestinians have gathered in occupied Jerusalem to perform prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, despite facing significant restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities. These measures particularly targeted worshippers coming from the West Bank, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region. The heavy presence of Israeli security forces was notable in the entrances to the city, junctions leading to the Old City, and the mosque itself, with military checkpoints and identity checks being widely enforced.

Israeli media reported that around 3,000 police officers were deployed throughout Jerusalem, focusing heavily on alleys leading to the holy site. Despite these challenges, reports indicated that approximately 2,000 Palestinians managed to cross into Jerusalem through Qalandiya checkpoint by the morning, reflecting the heightened Israeli military alert along border crossings between the West Bank and the city. The restrictions included limits on age and the total number of worshippers allowed entry, raising concerns regarding religious freedom and access to holy sites during Ramadan.

The Israeli authorities had previously announced strict conditions for entering the mosque, permitting only 10,000 Palestinians from the West Bank to attend prayers. This included age restrictions that limited the entry of men to those above certain ages, effectively denying many individuals the opportunity to participate in this significant religious observance. These actions underscore the ongoing conflict and divisions experienced in the region, as well as the persistent vigilance around access to religious sites within Jerusalem.