Around 80,000 Palestinians performed the first Friday prayer of the holy month of Ramadan at the revered Al Aqsa Mosque, despite heightened Israeli security measures and movement restrictions across the city.

According to the Jerusalem Governorate, Israeli forces prevented thousands of worshippers from reaching the mosque, turning many back at the Qalandia Checkpoint and several other military checkpoints reportedly set up across the area. Officials stated that nearly 300 checkpoints were operational, significantly restricting access for Palestinians travelling from the West Bank to Jerusalem.

Security measures were intensified throughout Occupied Jerusalem, particularly in and around the Old City and the mosque compound. The Governorate further reported that more than 300 Jerusalem residents have recently been barred from entering Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.

Despite the restrictions, tens of thousands of worshippers gathered peacefully within the mosque’s courtyards to observe the sacred Friday prayers, marking the beginning of the holy month with devotion and resilience.