Tension increased at Masjid al-Aqsa

As the Gaza Health Ministry announced that the number of Palestinians killed in Israel’s attacks on Gaza rose to 4,137, tension in Jerusalem also increased today.

The Israeli administration has imposed an age restriction on those who want to perform Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque this week, as it did last week.

In normal times, Palestinians living in occupied East Jerusalem would flock to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first qibla of Muslims, to perform Friday prayers. However, like last week, Israel imposed age restrictions on Palestinians who want to go to the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers.

According to the statement made to the AA correspondent by the Islamic Foundations Administration in Jerusalem, Israeli forces do not allow men under 65 years of age and women under 50 years of age to enter Haram Al-Sharif.

ENTRY IS RESTRICTED

Separately, Israeli police set up barricades around the Old City of East Jerusalem, which includes the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and at the entrance gates.

Some of the Palestinians who wanted to enter the Masjid al-Aqsa for Friday prayers were allowed in after their identity checks. (AA)