On Thursday evening, around 60,000 worshippers performed the Isha and Taraweeh prayers in the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The worship took place amid strict restrictions on access to the mosque.
The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem stated that despite strict restrictions, a large number of people managed to reach the mosque. According to reports, Israeli forces have limited access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and prevented residents of the West Bank from coming to the mosque. Israeli authorities also imposed tight controls on families arriving for Iftar. Those bringing food with them to break their fast faced inspections and restrictions as well.
Palestinian and Jerusalem-based organizations have called for increasing the presence of Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. They said that maintaining a continuous presence at the mosque is a national and religious duty, in order to confront efforts aimed at isolating the holy site from its Palestinian surroundings.
Local organizations said they would challenge the repeated restrictions and entry limitations being imposed at the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The report also mentioned that local groups have expressed concern over the growing activities of so-called extremist Temple groups. According to them, these groups, with the support of the Israeli government, are attempting to increase incursions into the mosque compound during Jewish holidays and other occasions, while age-based restrictions and military checkpoints are being used to limit the number of Muslim worshippers.
According to the report, since the beginning of Ramadan, additional restrictions have been imposed on entry to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which are being viewed as an attempt to establish a new reality on the ground.