![Israeli forces take security measures as Palestinians pass through Qalandia military checkpoint separating Ramallah and Jerusalem to perform the last Friday prayer of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque on March 28, 2025. [Issam Rimawi - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/AA-20250328-37467473-37467472-PALESTINIANS_PASS_THROUGH_CHECKPOINT_FOR_THE_LAST_FRIDAY_PRAYER_OF_RAMADAN_IN_RAMALLAH-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Israeli occupation authorities continued to impose restrictions on Palestinian access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem for the fourth consecutive Friday of Ramadan despite many having permits to enter.
Speaking to Anadolu, several Palestinians said the restrictions were enforced at the Qalandiya military checkpoint, which separates the cities of Jerusalem and Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
Hundreds of elderly Palestinians began arriving at the Qalandiya checkpoint early this morning, hoping to reach Jerusalem to pray at the mosque. However, they were met with a heavy Israeli military presence.
An Anadolu reporter noted that many Palestinians, including elderly individuals, were denied entry on the grounds that they did not have the proper permits, despite their age.
Um Alaa, a 71-year-old woman from Gaza who has been living in the occupied West Bank while she receives medical treatment, shared her frustration.
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“The Israeli army refused to let me enter Jerusalem, saying I didn’t have the necessary permit. I am 71 years old, and all I want is to pray at Al-Aqsa,” she said.
“I was devastated when I was prevented from entering. I hoped to visit the mosque and pray, but the Israeli forces denied me entry,” she added.
Fatima Awawda, a 67-year-old American citizen from Deir Dibwan, east of Ramallah, said she was stopped at the Qalandiya checkpoint due to an alleged error in her entry permit.
“What can I do? I have an American passport, I am an elderly woman, yet they stopped me from entering,” she said.
“Al-Aqsa means everything to us; it is the first qibla [direction of prayer] for Muslims, and it is where the Prophet Muhammad led all the other prophets in prayer.”
Sami Qadomi, an elderly man from Jayyous in the Qalqilya governorate in the northern West Bank, was also stopped at the checkpoint. “I am old, and I left my home at 5am. All of this did not help, and they still prevented me from entering Jerusalem,” he said.
On 6 March, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved stricter restrictions on Palestinian worshippers’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque on Fridays during the Muslim month of fasting, Ramadan.
Under the new restrictions, only men over the age of 55, women over 50, and children under 12 will be permitted to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque.
However, access will be contingent upon obtaining a prior security clearance and undergoing thorough security checks at designated checkpoints.
The decision coincides with ongoing daily incursions by hundreds of illegal Israeli settlers into Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month.
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