Since the morning hours today, Israeli occupation forces obstructed hundreds of worshipers from reaching the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform the second Friday prayers of the holy month of Ramadan, according to the Palestinian news agency “WAFA.”
Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli forces significantly intensified their military presence around checkpoints in Qalandia, north of Jerusalem, and in Al-Zaytouna, east of it, as well as in Bethlehem to the south.
They turned back hundreds of worshipers and did not allow them to enter under the pretext of not obtaining the necessary permits.
The Israeli forces deployed thousands of their police officers in the alleys of the Old City and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, both of which have been under tight siege for nearly six months.
Checkpoints like Qalandia witnessed light movement compared to previous years due to the restrictions imposed by the occupation.
On the second Friday of Ramadan, Israeli forces encircled the city of Jerusalem and set up inspection checkpoints at all entrances leading to the Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Strict measures were imposed by the Israeli police, deploying around three thousand of its personnel to the city of Jerusalem.
