ALBAWABA - In a renewed development, Israeli occupation has once again imposed attack on Palestinians from East Jerusalem's Old City, obstructing their attendance at Friday prayers in the revered Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli occupation police have ramped up security measures around Al-Aqsa and have denied entry to both young and elderly Palestinians, prompting those unable to enter the mosque to carry out their prayers in nearby mosques and on the streets.
Police Confrontation in Wadi al-Joz Neighborhood
Notably, Israeli occupation forces have set up iron barriers and escalated security measures in the Old City area. They have been barring Palestinian youth and, occasionally, elderly individuals from entering Al-Aqsa since the early hours of the morning. the occupation police have established checkpoints at the outer gates of Al-Aqsa and have significantly increased their presence in the narrow alleys of the Old City. Heated verbal confrontations have erupted between the Israeli occupation police and the Palestinians who have been denied access to Al-Aqsa.
Prayers Held in Proximity to Al-Aqsa
Hundreds of Palestinians who were unable to access Al-Aqsa for Friday prayers have resorted to conducting their prayers at a mosque in the Ra's al-Amud neighborhood, which offers a view of Al-Aqsa, as well as on the sidewalks surrounding the mosque.
Police Deploy Tear Gas and Water Cannons
In the vicinity of the Wadi al-Joz neighborhood, where Palestinians sought to perform their prayers, Israeli occupation police resorted to using tear gas and water cannons that emitted a pungent odor to disperse the crowd. Even a 60-year-old Palestinian was not exempt from the attack, underscoring the extent of the situation.
Emir Burkan, a Palestinian who aspired to pray at Al-Aqsa, expressed his exasperation with the Israeli occupation restrictions, stating, "I simply wanted to pray at Al-Aqsa, but the occupation police wouldn't allow it. I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm 60 years old and not in the best health. All I wanted was to pray at Al-Aqsa. Where else can I practice my faith? Should I head to the Western Wall?" He emphasized that the occupation was resorting to arbitrary measures to assert its control over Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem.
