Jerusalem: More than 70,000 Palestinians performed Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem despite Israeli restrictions imposed since October 2023, according to Islamic authorities. The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem reported that the large number of Muslim worshippers managed to access the mosque compound for prayers despite the circumstances.

According to Anadolu Agency, dozens of Israeli police officers were deployed throughout the Old City, including near the compound's external gates and surrounding alleyways. An Anadolu correspondent noted that Israeli police stopped several young Palestinians in the area to check their identification documents.

Since the onset of Israel's war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, Israeli authorities have barred tens of thousands of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank from entering Jerusalem and accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque for prayers. Al-Aqsa Mosque holds significant religious importance, being Islam's third-holiest site.