Over 70,000 Palestinians pray at Al-Aqsa despite Israeli curbs
More than 70,000 Muslim worshippers performed Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, overcoming Israeli restrictions imposed since October 2023. Israeli police deployed across the Old City, stopping young Palestinians and checking IDs.
More than 70,000 Palestinians managed to perform Friday prayers at the Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem, despite ongoing Israeli restrictions that have been in place since October 2023. The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem confirmed that over 70,000 worshippers accessed the site for prayers, Islam’s third‑holiest mosque.
Police presence and checks
An Anadolu correspondent reported that dozens of Israeli police officers were deployed across the Old City, including near the compound’s external gates and surrounding alleyways. Police stopped several young Palestinians in the area and checked their identification documents. Since Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, authorities have prevented tens of thousands of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank from entering Jerusalem and reaching Al‑Aqsa.
Broader context
The high turnout comes despite increased Israeli efforts to restrict access, particularly for younger worshippers. Al‑Aqsa has long been a flashpoint, with Palestinian Muslims viewing any limitation as an infringement on religious freedom and part of Israel’s broader policy of Judaizing occupied East Jerusalem.
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