50,000 Palestinians perform Tarawih prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque amid tensions

Amid ongoing tensions, about 50,000 worshippers performed Isha and Tarawih prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque early in the month of Ramadan. This scene was seen in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday evening.

According to a report by Arab News, worshippers are performing prayers amid intense tensions in the occupied West Bank, including attacks by settlers, raids by the Israeli army, and arrests. About 50,000 Palestinian worshippers participated in the Isha and Ramadan Tarawih prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday night.

The Jerusalem Governorate said that worshippers gathered at the mosque despite Israeli military checkpoints and strict checks. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli authorities recently issued an order prohibiting at least 300 Jerusalem residents from entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the month of Ramadan.

At the same time, the presence of Israeli forces in the city of Jerusalem has been increased. Age-based restrictions have also been imposed on entry to the mosque. Entry is limited to children under the age of 12, men over the age of 55 and women over the age of 50.

Since last Wednesday, thousands of Palestinians have been waiting in long lines at military checkpoints hoping to pray. Worshippers have been particularly crowded at the Qalandiya and Bethlehem checkpoints. Observers believe that the presence of worshippers at Al-Aqsa despite these ongoing obstacles and tensions is a reflection of their steadfastness in the sanctity of Ramadan and their worship.