JERUSALEM: Israeli occupation forces prevented thousands of worshippers from the West Bank from entering occupied Jerusalem to attend the last Friday sermon and prayer of the holy month of Ramadan.
Witnesses and local sources reported that Israeli forces imposed restrictions on the entry of worshippers into the mosque, scrutinizing the identities of young men at the entrances to the Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque, and preventing many of them from entering.
Meantime, the occupation forces turned back dozens of elderly worshipers at Qalandia and Bethlehem checkpoints-both of which lead to occupied Jerusalem where the mosque is situated-who were intending to head to Al-Aqsa Mosque, citing their lack of the required Israeli permits that would allow them to enter.
There were reports of confrontations between Israeli occupation policemen and worshippers who were heading to pray, particularly in the Bab al-Asbat area in the Old City of Jerusalem, where Israeli forces arrested three young men.
Meantime, Israeli poli
ce announced the deployment of 3,600 officers in East Jerusalem on the last Friday of Ramadan, amid expectations of tens of thousands of worshippers flocking to Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA