IOF impose restrictions on al-Aqsa, Palestinians pray in vicinity
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The Israeli occupation forces imposed strict restrictions on Palestinians, preventing young people from entering the al-Aqsa mosque on the eve of the first night of the holy month of Ramadan.
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Muslim worshippers perform "tarawih," next to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of al-Quds, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (AP)
The Israeli occupation forces enforced restrictions on Sunday evening, limiting entry for young individuals into the holy al-Aqsa Mosque for evening and Tarawih prayers. Only women and individuals over 40 were permitted entry, with passage hindered by checkpoints, just before the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.
The occupation forces banned numerous Palestinians from praying at al-Aqsa Mosque, blocking young individuals from entering through the Hittah and al-Qattanin gates for evening prayers.
#بالفيديو | قوات الاحتلال تمنع الشبان من الدخول إلى #المسجد_الأقصى من باب القطانين لأداء صلاة العشاء والتراويح.#طوفان_الأقصى #الميادين pic.twitter.com/c4kvj0kMnH
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) March 10, 2024
Despite the occupation forces' entry restrictions at al-Aqsa Mosque, dozens of Palestinians managed to overcome the obstacles set by the occupation. They entered the mosque's courtyards to complete Tarawih prayers on the first night of Ramadan, as reported by Palestinian news sites on social media.
لحظة تمكّن عشرات الفلسطينيين من تجاوز عراقيل الاحتلال والدخول إلى المسجد الأقصى، لأداء صلاة تراويح الليلة الأولى من رمضان pic.twitter.com/aWeYphffvo
— المركز الفلسطيني للإعلام (@PalinfoAr) March 10, 2024
Palestinians who were prohibited from entering the al-Aqsa Mosque prayed in its vicinity, performing evening and Tarawih prayers near the Bab al-Rahma Cemetery in occupied al-Aqsa. Others prayed around the Lions Gate of the mosque.
Defying occupation measures, certain residents prayed in the Old City alleys of occupied al-Quds and near the al-Yusufiyya Cemetery.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in occupied Palestine reported that the occupation forces were attacking the worshippers headed to al-Aqsa Mosque to perform evening and Tarawih prayers.
The Israeli occupation police attacked young men and women who were praying in the Old City.
#شاهد | شرطة الاحتلال تعتدي على الشبان والنساء في البلدة القديمة بعد منعهم من الدخول إلى #المسجد_الأقصى.#طوفان_الأقصى #فلسطين #القدس_المحتلة pic.twitter.com/Qj5rUuPfRQ
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) March 10, 2024
The Israeli Kan channel reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided that "police entry into the Temple Mount will require his approval."
Earlier this week, fearing a ticking bomb in the occupied West Bank and yielding to calls from the US administration, Israeli occupation authorities announced on Tuesday they would allow as many worshippers to access the al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds during the first week of the holy month of Ramadan as in previous years.
"Every week there will be a situation assessment in terms of security and safety and a decision will be made accordingly," Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office mentioned in a statement.
Despite Israeli police and several ministers warning that the measure would incite an explosion in the situation, Israeli occupation Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had said that Palestinian residents of the West Bank "should not be allowed" entry to al-Quds to pray during Ramadan. But days later, the United States urged "Israel" to allow worshippers to access the holy al-Aqsa Mosque compound in al-Quds during the Muslim month.
