JERUSALEM – Some 90,000 Palestinians prayed on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Outdated Metropolis underneath tight security by Israeli forces within the first Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Hundreds made their method from the West Financial institution into Jerusalem for the prayers after Israel allowed males over 55 and girls over 50 to enter from the occupied territory for the prayers. Tensions have risen within the West Financial institution up to now weeks amid Israeli raids on militants. However there was no rapid signal of frictions on Friday.
It was Palestinians’ first likelihood to enter Jerusalem since final Ramadan a few yr in the past, when Israel additionally let in worshippers underneath comparable restrictions. Because the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, the Israeli authorities blocked Palestinians within the West Financial institution from crossing to Jerusalem or visiting Israel. Cuts to USAID by the Trump administration have additionally set again assist teams working in Gaza.
Final Ramadan, the conflict was raging, however this time, a fragile ceasefire is in place since mid-January – though its future is uncertain. Since Sunday, Israel has barred all food, gas, medication and different provides from getting into Gaza for some 2 million folks, demanding Hamas settle for a revised deal.
Prayers on the Dome of the Rock and within the rubble of Gaza
In Gaza, hundreds gathered for the Friday communal prayers within the shattered concrete husk of Gaza Metropolis’s Imam Shafi’i Mosque, closely broken by Israeli forces throughout preventing, Throughout Ramadan, Muslims quick from daybreak till sundown as an indication of humility, submission to God and sympathy for the poor and hungry. On Thursday night, Palestinians strung festive Ramadan lights across the rubble of destroyed buildings surrounding their tent camp in Gaza Metropolis and arrange lengthy communal tables for tons of of individuals the place assist teams served up iftar, the meal that breaks the every day quick.
At Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, Nafez Abu Saker mentioned he left his dwelling within the village of Aqraba within the northern West Financial institution at 7 a.m., taking three hours to make the 45-kilometer (20-mile) journey by means of Israeli checkpoints to achieve Jerusalem. “If the folks from the West Financial institution will probably be permitted to return, folks from all of the cities, villages and camps will come to Al-Aqsa to hope,” he mentioned.
“The reward of prayer right here is like 500 prayers — regardless of the issue of the street to get right here. It brings an incredible reward from God,” mentioned Ezat Abu Laqia, additionally from Aqraba.
The devoted fashioned rows to hearken to the Friday sermon and kneel in prayer on the foot of the golden Dome of the Rock on the sprawling mosque compound. The Islamic Belief, which oversees the Al-Aqsa compound, mentioned 90,000 attended the prayers. The Israeli police mentioned it deployed hundreds of extra officers across the space.
The compound, revered by Jews because the Temple Mount, and the encompassing space of Jerusalem’s Outdated Metropolis have been the location of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police up to now. The Outdated Metropolis is a part of east Jerusalem, captured by Israel together with the West Financial institution and Gaza Strip within the 1967 Mideast Struggle. Israel has since annexed the sector, although Palestinians search it and the territories for an impartial state.
Tight safety and delays at checkpoints
Hundreds of Palestinians coming from the West Financial institution lined up on the Qalandia checkpoint on the sting of Jerusalem to attend the prayers. However some have been turned away, both as a result of they didn’t have the right permits or as a result of the checkpoint closed. Israeli police mentioned authorities had authorised the entry of 10,000 Palestinians from the West Financial institution, however it didn’t say what number of made it into Jersualem.
“All of the younger folks, aged folks, and girls have been ready right here. They refused to let anybody cross on the checkpoint,” mentioned Mohammed Owaisat, who arrived to seek out the crossing closed.
The primary part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire introduced the discharge of 25 Israeli hostages held by militants in Gaza and the our bodies of eight others in change for the liberating of practically 2,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
However an supposed second part of the deal – meant to carry the discharge of remaining hostages and a long-lasting truce and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza — has been thrown into doubt. Israel has balked at getting into negotiations over the phrases of the second part. As a substitute, it has known as for Hamas to launch half its remaining hostages in return for an extension of the ceasefire and a promise to barter a long-lasting truce.
It says its bar on assist to Gaza will proceed and may very well be escalated till Hamas accepts the proposal — a transfer rights teams and Arab international locations have decried as a “hunger tactic.” Hamas has demanded the unique ceasefire deal be carried out.
A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Friday to debate implementation of the deal and to push for the second part, Egypt’s State Data Service mentioned.
Israel’s army offensive has killed over 48,000 Palestinians in Gaza, largely girls and kids, in line with Gaza’s Well being Ministry, which doesn’t say how most of the useless have been militants. The marketing campaign was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 23, 2023 assault on southern Israel, wherein militants killed some 1,200 folks, largely civilians, and took a complete of 251 folks hostage. Most have been launched in ceasefire agreements or different preparations. Hamas is believed to nonetheless have 24 residing hostages and the our bodies of 34 others.
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