Israeli occupation hinders access to Al-Aqsa Mosque on third Friday of Ramadan

JERUSALEM: Israeli occupation forces imposed stringent restrictions today on the entry of Palestinians to the occupied city of Jerusalem to perform the third Friday prayer of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest place of worship. The occupation forces bolstered their presence at military checkpoints leading to Jerusalem, scrutinizing the identities of Palestinians and preventing hundreds from reaching the city to attend Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque under the pretext of lacking necessary permits. Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli forces prevented hundreds of elderly residents of the West Bank, who possessed permits, from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque through checkpoints surrounding the holy city, notably Qalandia, Bethlehem, and Zaitouna. Within Jerusalem, witnesses stated that the occupation forces erected metal barriers along the path of worshippers, particularly at the entrances to Al-Aqsa Mosque, impeding their movement and access to the mosque. Video footage shared by activists showed I sraeli forces chasing young Palestinians along the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, conducting searches, and mistreating several of them. Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA