Occupied East Jerusalem

Jerusalem – Israel is severely restricting Palestinian access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem for the first Friday prayers of Ramadan, a move that has drawn international concern and sparked tensions at checkpoints throughout the West Bank. Hundreds of worshippers queued at the Qalandiya checkpoint near Ramallah this morning, hoping to reach one of Islam’s holiest sites, but faced significant obstacles.

Israeli authorities have stated they will allow only 10,000 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank to enter the Al-Aqsa compound, requiring permits for access – a drastic reduction compared to the hundreds of thousands who typically attend Friday prayers during Ramadan in previous years. The restrictions come amid heightened security concerns and escalating friction between Israeli authorities and Palestinian worshippers.

The limitations on access are based on age and gender, with eligibility restricted to children under the age of 12, men over 55, and women 50 years or older. As of this morning, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that approximately 2,000 Palestinians had been able to cross through the Qalandiya checkpoint towards Jerusalem, with a significant Israeli military presence at checkpoints separating the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

“You’ll see 3.3 million people in the occupied West Bank… so allowing only 10,000 to pray on this first Friday of Ramadan is a drop in the ocean, and only a trickle have been able to develop it in,” reported Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh from the Qalandiya checkpoint. “In previous years, we’ve seen up to 250,000 worshippers in that holy site, and now only a fraction of that is expected. And it will be from the occupied West Bank, from occupied East Jerusalem itself and Palestinian-Israeli citizens from inside Israel proper.”

Restrictions Aimed at Limiting Gatherings

Odeh added that hundreds of people remain stuck at the checkpoint, attempting to gain access to the mosque but being turned away by Israeli authorities. The restrictions, she stated, appear to be an attempt to disrupt the traditional bonds between Palestinian communities. “Getting to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is part of the Palestinian tradition, which has been going on for generations, for hundreds of years. Spending the day there is extremely crucial; it’s part of the heritage of Palestinians,” Odeh explained.

This year, many Palestinians will be unable to observe the customary practice of breaking their fast in Jerusalem, further severing ties between occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the occupied West Bank, according to Odeh.

Broader Context of Access Restrictions

These restrictions follow a period of increased tension surrounding the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Earlier this week, reports indicated a six-decade agreement governing prayer at the site had “collapsed,” with experts warning of potential unrest. The agreement, established after the 1967 war, generally permits only Muslim prayer within the sacred compound, known as the al-Haram al-Sharif to Muslims and the Temple Mount to Jews. Recent arrests of Muslim caretakers and increased incursions by Jewish groups have contributed to the escalating situation.

Middle East Eye reported that Israeli authorities extended settler raids at the Al-Aqsa Mosque by an hour on the eve of Ramadan, allowing radical Jewish groups up to five hours of access. The imam of Al-Aqsa, Sheikh Mohammed al-Abbasi, was also detained by Israeli forces on Monday, according to the Wafa news agency, as reported by Al Arabiya. The New Arab reported that over 250 Palestinians have received banishment orders from Al-Aqsa Mosque since the start of 2026.

The situation remains fluid, and further restrictions or escalations are possible as Ramadan progresses. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the current tensions will subside or escalate into wider conflict.

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