Tens of Thousands of Palestinians Perform Friday Prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque Despite Tight Israeli Restrictions
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, tens of thousands of Palestinian worshippers gathered at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday to participate in congregational prayers, defying severe security restrictions enforced by Israeli authorities.
Local reports indicated that Israeli military forces significantly increased their personnel around the perimeters of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the entrances of the Old City of Jerusalem. Security forces deliberately created obstacles, stopping numerous worshippers to inspect their identification documents and restricting access routes leading to the holy compound.
The extensive deployment of occupation forces remained concentrated at the gates of Al-Aqsa and the historic quarters of Jerusalem, with special emphasis on subjecting Palestinian youth to rigorous security checks and intense scrutiny.
This massive public presence followed an urgent call issued on Thursday by various Palestinian civic institutions and organizations in Jerusalem. The appeal urged residents of the city and the occupied territories to turn out in large numbers and participate robustly in Friday prayers at the sacred site.
The public invitation served as a direct reaction to escalating violations against the Al-Aqsa Mosque and concerted attempts to impose new realities on the ground. Earlier on Thursday, large groups of Israeli settlers, backed and protected by occupation troops, stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa. The settlers wandered through the eastern section of the complex while performing Talmudic rituals.
Spanning an area of approximately 144 dunams, the Al-Aqsa Mosque continuously faces aggressive incursions directed at worshippers and Palestinians present within its grounds. Palestinian factions have repeatedly warned against the severe consequences of escalating settler raids and persistent attempts to alter the legal and historical status of the holy site.
