Jerusalem: Around 80,000 Palestinians gathered for the first Friday prayers of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, with only 10,000 worshippers from the West Bank due to strict Israeli restrictions, according to local authorities.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem reported that 80,000 worshippers attended the first Friday prayer of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Israeli police maintained a strong presence around the mosque and throughout Jerusalem’s Old City, as 3,000 officers were deployed across East Jerusalem on Friday. These measures coincided with limitations on the movement of Palestinians from the West Bank to the area.

Eyewitnesses informed Anadolu that Israeli forces prevented thousands of worshippers from accessing the mosque by blocking checkpoints around East Jerusalem. The Palestinian governorate of Jerusalem highlighted that many West Bank residents were held up at the Qalandia checkpoint. Israeli authorities claimed that the entry limit of 10,000 worshippers had been reached.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that a plan allowing up to 10,000 West Bank Palestinians to participate in Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa during Ramadan was approved by Israeli leadership. This plan requires Palestinians to obtain special daily permits in advance for each prayer session.

The restrictions specify that access is limited to men aged 55 and older, women aged 50 and older, and children under 12 accompanied by a first-degree relative. All permits need prior security approval, and worshippers must complete digital verification at crossings upon returning to the West Bank, as stated by the Israeli army.

During Ramadan, large numbers of Palestinians usually travel from the West Bank to East Jerusalem to pray at Al-Aqsa, contributing to the bustling activity in the Old City’s markets. However, since the onset of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, Israeli authorities have imposed stringent movement restrictions at military checkpoints.

In recent years, only limited numbers of West Bank Palestinians have been allowed entry with permits from the Israeli army, which many Palestinians argue are challenging to obtain. Al-Aqsa Mosque holds significant religious importance as the third-holiest site for Muslims, while Jews refer to the area as Temple Mount, believing it to be the location of ancient Jewish temples. Palestinians see East Jerusalem as the future capital of their state, whereas Israel regards the entire city, both east and west, as its capital.