Israel tightens restrictions on Palestinian access to Al-Aqsa Mosque on 2nd Friday of Ramadan

Israel has imposed strict restrictions on Palestinians from the occupied West Bank trying to reach Jerusalem for prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque on the second Friday of Ramadan.

An Anadolu correspondent in the West Bank reported that the Israeli occupation forces reinforced its presence at the checkpoints leading to Jerusalem, scrutinising Palestinian IDs and denying entry to some under the pretext that they lacked special permits.

The soldiers prevented Palestinians from the northern West Bank governorates of Jenin and Tulkarm from entering Jerusalem, despite the fact that they had obtained permits, the correspondent added.

This comes amid the ongoing Israeli military offensive in the Palestinian cities and their refugee camps since 21 January, which has caused extensive destruction to homes and infrastructure. The offensive has led to the displacement of around 40,000 Palestinians, the arrest of some 400, and the killing of about 50, according to Palestinian sources.

Daily struggle for access to Al-Aqsa

Aisha Nazzal, a Palestinian woman from the town of Qabatiya south of Jenin, stated that the Israeli army prevented her from reaching Jerusalem despite having a special permit.

“Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa are everything to us Palestinians, and freedom of worship is a right, but the occupation disregards everything.”

Taysir Balawi, a resident of Jenin, said Israeli occupation authorities blocked him from accessing Jerusalem for no specific reason. “The Israeli military continues its offensive in Jenin, and if there was something related to me, they would have arrested me, but this is just pressure on people,” he added.

Long lines were seen at the Qalandiya checkpoint, north of Jerusalem, and Checkpoint 300 south of the city as Palestinians from the West Bank tried to make their way toward Jerusalem.

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