On the first Friday of Ramadan, Palestinian worshippers gathered at a West Bank checkpoint seeking to enter Jerusalem for prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque. However, they faced strict entry restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities, which only allowed entry for men over 55, women over 50, and children up to the age of 12, all of whom required permits to cross the checkpoint. This situation reflects the ongoing tensions and the impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on religious practices during this significant month.

The backdrop of this limited access is the continuing war in Gaza, which has exacerbated economic conditions in the West Bank. The World Bank has highlighted the risks of economic collapse in the region, with unemployment rates soaring to 30 percent at the end of the previous year, more than double the figures from before the conflict. Palestinian officials are deeply concerned about the deteriorating economic situation, as the war and subsequent military operations have severely impacted daily life in the West Bank.

Moreover, the ongoing hostilities have led to increased violence, with a notable rise in Palestinian attacks against Israelis and retaliatory settler violence. These developments contribute to an unstable environment for Palestinians during Ramadan, where the act of worship is fraught with additional challenges. The complex interplay of religious observance, economic hardship, and political strife underscores the dire situation faced by many in the region, raising concerns about the future of peace and stability in the area.