RAMALLAH: In the face of stringent Israeli measures and restrictions, a mere 15,000 worshippers were permitted to perform Friday prayers today at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, the Islamic Waqf department said in a statement today.

The Islamic Waqf, the Jordan-run authority in charge of the daily affairs of the holy site, reported that Israeli measures hindered thousands of worshippers from accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israeli restrictions not only prevented the entry of worshippers from outside the Old City of Jerusalem, but also impeded those from the West Bank from reaching the Mosque. These measures have been in place since the outbreak of the all-out Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people on October 7, according to local sources.

Meanwhile, large numbers of Israeli forces were deployed in the vicinity of the Wadi al-Joz area adjacent to the Old City, and access to the mosque was restricted exclusively to residents of the Old City.

Reports from local sources stated that Israeli
forces assaulted worshippers, pedestrians, and journalists, deploying stun grenades, tear gas, and wastewater toward them, resulting in several injuries.

A circulating video clip showed Israeli forces assaulting a woman as she attempted to reach the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers through the Al-Asbat Gate on the eastern side of the compound.

Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA