Despite IOF barriers, 280,000 Palestinians pray in Al-Aqsa Mosque

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen
18 Apr 2023 14:15

More than a quarter of a million Palestinians commemorate Al-Qadr night in Al-Aqsa Mosque despite IOF barriers throughout Al-Quds.

Palestinian Muslim worshippers pray during Laylat Al Qadr, in front of the Al-Qibli Prayer Hall, in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of occupied Al-Quds, Monday, April 17, 2023. (AP)

The Islamic Endowments Department in occupied Al-Quds reported that some 280,000 worshippers had flocked to Al-Aqsa Mosque to commemorate the night of Al-Qadr on the 27th night of Ramadan, despite the tight measures imposed by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).

The Islamic Endowments Department also confirmed that worshippers prayed the Isha and Taraweeh prayers in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, in all its sections, was overcrowded with worshippers who came from the occupied West Bank and Al-Quds to pray in the holy Mosque and reaffirm its Arab and Islamic identity at a time when "Israel" reportedly attempts to Judaize the entirety of Al-Quds.

As the IOF reinforced its presence at the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, the worshippers stationed in the compound erected dozens of tents declaring they will remain in the courtyards of the holy site.

Last year, the Islamic Endowments Department in occupied Al-Quds indicated that about 250,000 worshipers practiced acts of worship related to the 27th night of the month of holy Ramadan. This comes to show that the people of Palestine have not only maintained the identity of Al-Quds but have increased their efforts to reach Al-Aqsa Mosque despite all the threats and complications imposed by the Israeli occupation government.

Palestinian youth severely injured by IOF gunfire in northern Al-Quds

A Palestinian was severely injured and taken to the hospital for treatment on Monday by Israeli gunfire, in the northern occupied city of Al-Quds, Palestinian sources reported.

The sources said the Israeli occupation police opened fire at dawn today on a Palestinian youth at the entrance to an illegal Israeli settlement in the vicinity of Beit Hanina, north of Al-Quds.

The occupation police claimed that the young man attempted to burn a vehicle and damage 10 other vehicles and not committing to taking off the coat he was wearing before he was shot.

In a related context, confrontations erupted between Palestinian youth and Israeli occupation forces who launched a campaign of raids in the occupied West Bank and arrested a number of Palestinians.

The Palestinian Prisoners Club reported that the Israeli occupation forces arrested a Palestinian from the town of Dura, Al-Khalil district, and another from Nablus, along with two others from the eastern part of occupied Al-Quds.

In Gaza, Palestinian sources said the occupation's naval forces arrested four Palestinian fishermen at dawn Monday while they were working on board two boats off the coast of the sea of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip.