On the first Friday of Ramadan, around 100,000 worshippers gathered at Al-Aqsa Mosque to participate in the evening (Isha) and Tarawih prayers, according to the Islamic Waqf Department. The event took place under heavy scrutiny and restrictions from Israeli forces, who tightened security measures and established checkpoints around the Old City. Earlier that day, it was reported that approximately 80,000 worshippers attended the Friday prayer at the mosque.

The situation was complicated by Israeli authorities denying thousands of Palestinians entry through the Qalandiya checkpoint, claiming they had reached the allowed number of 10,000. The restrictions in place also included a weekly limit of 10,000 worshippers allowed from the West Bank on Fridays, requiring special permits and imposing strict age criteria for male and female worshippers. Men over 55, women over 50, and children under 12 were permitted entry, reflecting the serious challenges faced by worshippers trying to access this holy site.

The presence of Israeli security forces was felt strongly, as they set up military checkpoints and rigorously checked the identities of those trying to access the prayers. This heavy-handed approach has raised concerns about religious freedoms and the accessibility of religious sites for Palestinians during Ramadan, a significant time for communal worship and spirituality within the Muslim community.