Worshippers gather under heavy Israeli security presence as hundreds of Jerusalemites banned from entering holy site
LONDON — Approximately 50,000 Palestinian worshippers converged at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday evening to perform the Isha and Taraweeh prayers, marking the first nights of Ramadan despite stringent Israeli restrictions and heightened tensions across the occupied West Bank.
The crowds navigated military checkpoints and underwent strict identity verification at the mosque’s gates to participate in the nightly prayers, according to the Jerusalem Governorate. The gathering demonstrated the enduring spiritual significance of the holy site, even as political tensions cast a shadow over the observance.
Restricted access
The scene at Al-Aqsa reflected a carefully managed—and tightly controlled—access system. Israeli forces have imposed age-based restrictions, barring children under 12, men over 55, and women over 50 from entering the mosque compound.
More than 300 Jerusalemites have received direct Israeli orders prohibiting them from accessing Al-Aqsa throughout Ramadan, the Wafa news agency reported, effectively blocking local residents from prayers at the city’s most significant Islamic site.
Since Ramadan began Wednesday, thousands of Palestinians have lined up at military checkpoints, including Qalandiya and Bethlehem crossings, hoping to reach Jerusalem for prayers. Many wait hours for clearance, with no guarantee of passage.
Prayers under pressure
The mass attendance Sunday unfolded against a backdrop of escalating violence in the occupied territories. Worshippers arrived days after Israeli military raids, settler attacks, and ongoing arrests across the West Bank—conditions that have defined the start of the holy month for Palestinians.
Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, has long been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Located in Jerusalem’s walled Old City, it sits on a compound Jews revere as the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism. The competing claims frequently ignite tensions, particularly during religious holidays.
For the 50,000 who made the journey Sunday, the prayers offered spiritual solace amid political upheaval. For those turned away, the message was clear: even faith has its limits under occupation.
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