JERUSALEM: Tensions escalated today in the Wadi al-Joz neighborhood of occupied Jerusalem as Israeli occupation forces assaulted worshipers, leaving dozens suffering from inhalation problems.

WAFA correspondent reported that the forces cracked down on worshipers who were denied entry into the Al-Aqsa Mosque as a result of the strict measures imposed on the entrances to the holy site by the occupation authorities. Therefore, the worshipers performed their Friday prayers in the Wadi al-Joz neighborhood, adjacent to the Old City of Jerusalem.

Israeli occupation forces reportedly used rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas canisters, and sprayed skunk water on the worshipers, resulting in dozens suffering from suffocation due to teargas inhalation.

Only 12,000 worshipers managed to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform the prayers. Since the early morning hours, the forces have implemented strict measures preventing hundreds of worshipers from entering to perform the dawn prayer. The Israeli police also subjected
worshipers to searches, scrutinized their identification cards, and barred those from outside the Old City of Jerusalem from entering.

For the 12th consecutive Friday, Israeli occupation forces have intensified their stringent military measures targeting the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the residents of the Old City.

This has led to a significant decline in the number of worshipers entering the holy site, which previously reached up to 70,000 on a normal Friday, but today the number did not surpass 12,000.
Source: Agence Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA