OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)
Israeli authorities have barred Palestinians from entering the Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem for the 13th consecutive Friday prayer.
The Islamic Endowments Department affirmed that only 15,000 worshipers were allowed to perform prayers in Aqsa Mosque, as Israeli police banned the entry of hundreds of people into the holy site, allowing only residents of the Old City of Jerusalem to access the Mosque.
Ahead of the Friday prayer the Israeli police blocked several roads leading to the Old City of Jerusalem and hindered the movement of Palestinian citizens.
A large number of Israeli policemen were deployed throughout the holy city to restrict worshippers’ access to the Mosque.
Israeli police officers also assaulted a number of elderly people who attempted to enter the holy site.
Hundreds of Palestinians were forced to perform the Friday prayer in the streets near the Old City area after being barred from entering the Aqsa Mosque.
In a separate incident, Israeli forces attacked worshipers in the Wadi al-Joz neighborhood in Occupied Jerusalem after they had performed the Friday prayer outdoors.
Before Oct. 7, at least 50,000 Palestinians used to perform the Friday prayer in the Aqsa Mosque.
Palestinian activists have earlier called for breaking the Israeli siege on the Aqsa Mosque and intensifying the Palestinian presence at the holy shrine.
