Occupied Jerusalem: On the last Friday of the Islamic month of Sha’ban, tens of thousands of Palestinians performed prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. This large turnout was seen despite strict security restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation police in Jerusalem and its surrounding areas.
According to the report, since early morning, the movement of worshippers was restricted at military checkpoints set up around the city. Iron barricades were installed around the Old City and at the entrances to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Police forces were deployed on Friday along Market Road, obstructing the movement of local residents heading toward Al-Aqsa.
Young men heading toward the mosque were stopped and searched near Herod’s Gate (Bab al-Sahira). During the prayers, reports indicated that armed Israeli settlers entered the Al-Ghazali Square area near Lions’ Gate (Bab al-Asbat), an area adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
Meanwhile, on Friday, convoys of buses departed for Jerusalem from various towns located within the Green Line. Through these buses, a large number of Palestinian worshippers reached the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
According to the organizers, this coordinated effort was aimed at affirming Muslims’ right to access and protect their holy site. They stated that this step was taken amid ongoing violations by Israeli authorities and settlers.