The Israeli army deployed large forces across the occupied West Bank on Friday, particularly at checkpoints leading to Jerusalem, tightening restrictions on Palestinians seeking to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque for the second Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan,\u00a0Anadolu\u00a0reports.<\/p>\n
Thousands of Palestinians gathered before dawn at the Qalandia military checkpoint north of Jerusalem in an attempt to reach the holy city for prayers.<\/p>\n
Strict Israeli measures prevented dozens from entering, with soldiers citing failure to meet pre-set conditions, according to worshippers who said they were \u201cturned back despite arriving early.\u201d<\/p>\n
Israeli restrictions<\/p>\n
Israel approved a plan at the start of Ramadan limiting entry to 10,000 Palestinian worshippers for Friday prayers throughout the holy month, based on security recommendations.<\/p>\n
Under the plan, Palestinians must obtain a special daily permit for each prayer. Entry is limited to men aged 55 and over, women 50 and over, and children aged under 12, accompanied by a first-degree relative.<\/p>\n
The Israeli military said in a statement that all permits require prior security approval. Worshippers must also complete digital verification procedures at crossings when returning to the West Bank.<\/p>\n
Ali Nawas, 58, said in an interview with Anadolu that he and his wife reached the Qalandia checkpoint, where soldiers allowed him to pass but denied entry to his wife despite her having a permit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was forced to return with her. How could she go back to Nablus alone?\u201d He said he left Nablus after dawn prayers and traveled more than an hour, only to be denied entry \u201cwithin a minute.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPrayer at Al-Aqsa equals 500 prayers,\u201d he said, referring to an Islamic belief that prayers at the mosque carry multiplied spiritual reward. He added that a prophetic tradition encourages Muslims to travel only to three mosques, including Al-Aqsa.<\/p>\n