Israeli occupation forces beat up worshipers, deny them entry into Al-Aqsa Mosque

GAZA: Israeli occupation forces assaulted worshippers today near the Asbat Gate, one of the main entrances to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, beating up and preventing them from entering the mosque for the Friday prayers. Similar assaults occurred in the adjacent Wadi al-Joz neighborhood, where a child was arrested. Local sources reported that the forces stopped and searched Palestinian civilians, preventing them from entering the Old City of Jerusalem and reaching the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Police checkpoints were set up, and some individuals were assaulted and mistreated, particularly at the Asbat Gate. A child was arrested after being attacked near the adjacent Yeusefiya Cemetery. Despite the restrictions imposed by Israeli occupation forces at the gates of the Mosque, a small number of worshippers managed to perform Friday prayers there, amid ongoing assaults and mistreatment of those arriving, marking the twentieth consecutive Friday with such incidents. The Islamic Waqf stated that a small number of worshippers managed to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque due to the restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation and the checkpoints erected by Israeli police in the Old City of Jerusalem. Israeli occupation forces had been deployed since early morning at the entrances to the Old City, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque, intensifying their presence around the gates leading to the holy site. They also stormed the Dome of the Rock compound in an attempt to hinder the arrival of worshippers. Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA