Israel restricts Palestinians' access to Al-Aqsa Mosque for 4th Friday in row

By Abdelraouf Arna'out

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli authorities barred Palestinians from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem for the fourth consecutive Friday.

An official with the Waqf Department in Jerusalem told Anadolu that Israeli police only allowed elderly Palestinians into the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The official, who preferred not to be named, added that the mosque appeared empty due to the Israeli strict restrictions.

Eyewitnesses told Anadolu that dozens of Palestinian Muslims were forced to perform Fajr, or pre-dawn prayers, in the alleys leading to the Al-Aqsa Mosque after being denied entry by Israeli police.

Since early Friday morning, Israeli forces have been heavily deployed throughout occupied East Jerusalem, particularly in the Old City and the gates leading to the mosque.

The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.

Nearly 10,800 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 9,227 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar