Jerusalem: Despite heightened Israeli military restrictions in the Old City, the streets of occupied Jerusalem, and the vicinity of the mosque, tens of thousands of worshipers gathered to perform the Friday prayer at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
According to Jordan News Agency, Israeli forces obstructed worshipers' access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque through the Damascus and Lions' Gates by checking their identification, detaining several young men, and preventing them from entering the mosque. Additionally, some individuals were arrested, and notices were issued prohibiting them from entering the mosque for varying, renewable periods.
Worshipers continue to face significant restrictions from Israeli forces when accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque, particularly on Fridays. Thousands of Palestinians from the West Bank are barred by Israeli authorities from traveling to Jerusalem to pray at Al-Aqsa. Instead, they are required to obtain special permissions to pass through the military checkpoints that surround the holy city.