Israeli military forces have imposed significant restrictions on Palestinian access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the second Friday of Ramadan, allowing only a small number of worshippers to enter.
On the second Friday of Ramadan, the Israeli military deployed substantial forces, including officers, at checkpoints in the West Bank leading to Jerusalem as part of intensified measures to obstruct Palestinian access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque for prayers. According to a report from Al Jazeera, thousands of Palestinians attempted to reach the mosque by crossing through the Qalandiya and Rachel's Tomb checkpoints, but were met with strict entry requirements imposed by Israeli authorities.
This year, the Israeli authorities stipulated that only 10,000 Palestinians with special permits would be allowed entry, and enforced age restrictions wherein men must be at least 55 years old and women at least 50. Additionally, worshippers faced rigorous security checks at military barriers, and heavy security reinforcements were seen around Jerusalem, indicating the heightened tensions during this sensitive period of Ramadan.
During Ramadan, particularly on Fridays, the Al-Aqsa Mosque can accommodate hundreds of thousands of worshippers if all areas of the mosque are utilized. In previous years, tens of thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank attended Friday prayers at the mosque, thus the imposition of these restrictions raises serious concerns regarding religious freedoms and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
