40,000 Perform Friday Prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque

SadaNews - Thousands of citizens performed the Friday prayer at the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque amidst strict military procedures imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on accessing the mosque.

The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem estimated that about 40,000 worshippers attended the Friday prayer within the precincts of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Local sources reported that the occupation forces hindered worshippers' access to Al-Aqsa Mosque through the Damascus and Lions' Gate entrances, checked their identities, and stopped several young men, preventing them from entering the mosque.

Furthermore, the same sources added that the occupation forces assaulted a young man, forced him to sit on the ground for a search and mistreated him at the entrance of the Yusufiya Cemetery while he was on his way to Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The occupation municipality crews also seized a "stall" selling traditional Jerusalemite pastries, owned by a street vendor at the Lions' Gate.

The occupation forces continue to impose severe restrictions on worshippers' entry to Al-Aqsa Mosque, especially on Fridays.

The occupation authorities deprive thousands of citizens from the West Bank provinces from accessing Jerusalem to perform prayers at Al-Aqsa, as obtaining special permits to cross their military checkpoints surrounding the holy city is a prerequisite.