Occupying Regime Denies Palestinians Access to Al-Aqsa Mosque for Fifth Week

AL-QUDS (IQNA) – The Israeli regime has maintained its tight restrictions on Palestinians, preventing them from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East al-Quds for the fifth week in a row.

An official from the Waqf Department in al-Quds, which oversees the Islamic sites in the city, told Anadolu Agency that only 4,000 Palestinians, mostly elderly, were able to reach Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the mosque looked empty because of the Israeli strict control of the streets.

Israeli forces were heavily deployed across occupied across the occupied city since early Friday, especially in the Old City and the gates leading to the mosque.

Hundreds of Palestinians had to pray in the streets near the Old City after being barred from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military has intensified its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless bombardment since Hamas launched a surprise offensive on Oct. 7.

According to official figures, at least 10,812 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,412 children and 2,918 women. The Israeli death toll, on the other hand, is nearly 1,600.

Source: Agencies