45,000 Perform Friday Prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque

SadaNews - Thousands of citizens performed the Friday prayer at the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, amidst the intensified military measures imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on access to the mosque.

The Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem estimated that around 45,000 worshippers performed the Friday prayer in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Local sources reported that the occupation forces impeded worshippers' access to Al-Aqsa Mosque for prayer through the Damascus and Lions' Gate, scrutinizing their identities, detaining several young men, and preventing them from entering the mosque.

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

The occupation authorities deny thousands of citizens from the West Bank access to Jerusalem to perform prayers at Al-Aqsa, requiring special permits to cross their military checkpoints surrounding the holy city.