Suppression, beatings and street prayers – restrictions on worshippers entering Al-Aqsa

The Israeli occupation forces prevented hundreds of worshipers from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform Friday prayers, and assaulted and pushed them. After the noon call to prayer and coinciding with the Friday sermon, the occupation forces suddenly prevented all worshipers coming to Al-Aqsa from entering it. They were deployed at the gates of the Old City, especially Bab Al-Asbat, Al-Sahira and Al-Amoud, and forcibly removed the worshipers heading to Al-Aqsa. The forces stationed at all the gates of Al-Aqsa also prevented entry and removed those present. Several attacks on worshippers were recorded. In the Bab al-Asbat area, hundreds of worshippers were beaten, pushed and chased, including the elderly, children and women. The area was evacuated by force and they were chased through the streets to prevent any presence or prayer on the thresholds of Al-Aqsa. At the gates of King Faisal, Al-Qattanin, Al-Majlis and Al-Silsilah, the forces attacked young men by pushing and beating them. Ma'an News Agency lear ned that 3 young men were injured and bruised as a result of the attack. While some worshipers were able to enter Al-Aqsa, after verbal altercations with the forces stationed at its gates. In Al-Aqsa Mosque, nearly 40,000 worshipers performed Friday prayers. The occupation special forces were deployed among the worshipers and in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa, coinciding with the Friday sermon and prayer. In the streets of Jerusalem, especially around Bab al-Asbat, young men prayed in the streets and alleys, 'the closest point they could reach.' Source: Maan News Agency