West Bank & Jerusalem
60,000 Palestinians pray at Al-Aqsa despite Israeli restrictions
Image credit: Shehab Wire (EN)
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Approximately 60,000 Palestinian worshippers performed Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in defiance of Israeli occupation restrictions, the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem announced, Shehab Wire reported. The large gathering took place as Israeli authorities maintain tightened security measures and access controls at the holy site in East Jerusalem.
The Waqf Department's announcement came with photographic documentation of the crowded prayers. News sources confirmed that worshippers arrived despite heightened procedures imposed by Israeli forces, which have escalated restrictions on entry to the mosque compound in recent weeks. The Friday prayers represent one of the largest congregations at Al-Aqsa in recent months, drawing Palestinians from across the West Bank and within Jerusalem.
