Israeli police tighten grip, disrupt morning prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
20 Oct 2023 10:00

Israeli occupation police prevent worshippers under the age of 65 from entering al-Aqsa mosque to perform morning prayers.

Israeli Police close a road leading to the Lions' Gate during a raid by the Israeli police at al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Wednesday, April 5, 2023 (AP)

Israeli occupation police stopped worshippers, who are under the age of 65, from entering al-Aqsa Mosque to perform morning prayers, according to reports by the Israeli media.

They have also prevented the entry of worshippers who are not residents of the Old City from the side of the Lions' Gate, according to Palestinian media.

The occupation continues to crack down on Palestinians in al-Quds, fearing a spill-over of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. They arrested over 140 Palestinians, including liberated prisoners, children, women, and elderly people, since October 7.

Confrontations in the West Bank continue amid Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, resulting in the martyrdom, injury, and arrest of dozens of Palestinians.

Just yesterday, seven Palestinians, including four children, were martyred during confrontations with Israeli occupation forces that stormed several cities and towns overnight in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry announced.

Over 100 Palestinians were detained as well during the night raids, in what was described by the Israeli media as the "busiest night for the Israeli West Bank Division."

Footage shared on social media depicted an Israeli military vehicle obstructing the path of a Palestinian ambulance in the Dheisheh camp that was urgently heading to assist injured Palestinians.

Since October 7, at least 69 Palestinians protesting the Israeli massacres in Gaza have been killed in the occupied West Bank.

Earlier this week, Osama Hamdan, the representative of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Lebanon, called on all the people of the region to mobilize and demonstrate in all city squares this Friday in support of Palestine.

This comes at a time when on the opposite side of the country, the Rafah crossing remains closed in the face of humanitarian aid piling up awaiting delivery to Gaza under the pretext of the need to repair the roads that "Israel" itself bombed.

US President Joe Biden had told reporters on Wednesday that Egypt would be opening the Rafah crossing into Gaza to allow 20 trucks filled with humanitarian aid through.

"He (President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi) agreed to... let up to 20 trucks through, to begin with," Biden said.

The US President failed to mention that the roads need repair due to Israeli bombs.