Mar 17 β€’ 17:56 UTC πŸ‡ΆπŸ‡¦ Qatar Al Jazeera

The Occupation Prevents Prayers Around Al-Aqsa and Pursues Jerusalem Journalists

Israeli authorities have prevented evening prayers near Al-Aqsa Mosque while targeting journalists in Jerusalem.

Israeli authorities have prohibited evening prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque area on Tuesday, escalating tensions during the Ramadan season. The Palestinian governor of Jerusalem reported that Israeli forces suppressed worshippers, forcibly preventing them from performing both the Isha (night) and Taraweeh (extra prayers) during the holy month. Eyewitnesses noted that forces used physical aggression to disperse the crowd, invoking fears of rising clashes in this sensitive religious site.

The prohibition took place at the northern entrance to the old city of Jerusalem, known as Bab al-Sahira. Many Palestinian youths attempted to gather and pray despite the restrictions, illustrating the frustrated determination of worshippers during Ramadan. The authorities responded with heightened security measures, including the deployment of iron barriers aimed at dispersing the gatherings and maintaining control over the area's access and movement, with significant implication for communal worship experiences in this hallowed period.

Additionally, the Jerusalem Governorate criticized the ongoing pursuit of journalists covering these events, highlighting a culture of increased repression. Restrictions not only affected worshippers but also extended to media professionals, suggesting a deliberate effort to silence reporting around the situation at one of Islam's holiest sites. As tensions linger, the situation around Al-Aqsa remains a flashpoint for broader Arab-Israeli relations, particularly during such a significant time in the Islamic calendar.

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