Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) imposed more restrictions on West Bankers’ entry to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on the first Friday prayer in the holy month of Ramadan.
Large numbers of Palestinians above the age of 50 were stopped and prevented from crossing Qalandia checkpoint north of Occupied Jerusalem although the Israeli liaison office with the Palestinians allowed men over the age of 50 and women of all ages to attend the Friday prayer.
Israeli forces stationed at Qalandia checkpoint demanded special permits to allow West Bankers’ entry eyewitnesses reported.
3200 Israeli police officers were deployed across the occupied city of Jerusalem.
Israeli occupation forces also closed Al-Jalama checkpoint north of Jenin in the northern West Bank.
Local sources said that the decision came as part of the Israeli collective punishment policy following the Tel Aviv shooting.
Earlier Thursday Hamas Movement called on “the Palestinian people to participate in the “Friday Great Dawn” in support of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque and in rejection of the occupation’s blatant encroachment on our religious rituals and prevention of worshipers from reaching the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
