Israel tightens restrictions on Palestinians' access to Al-Aqsa Mosque on 2nd Friday of holy month​​​​​​​

JERUSALEM, PALESTINE - MARCH 14, 2025: Israel has imposed strict restrictions on Palestinians from the occupied West Bank trying to reach Jerusalem for prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the second Friday of Ramadan.An Anadolu correspondent in the West Bank reported that the Israeli military reinforced its presence at the checkpoints leading to Jerusalem, scrutinizing Palestinian IDs and denying entry to some under the pretext of lacking special permits.The soldiers prevented Palestinians from the northern West Bank governorates of Jenin and Tulkarem from entering Jerusalem, despite the fact that they had obtained permits, the correspondent added.This restriction comes amid the ongoing Israeli military offensive in Jenin and Tulkarem since Jan. 21, 2025, which has caused extensive destruction to homes and infrastructure. The offensive has led to the displacement of around 40,000 Palestinians, the arrest of some 400, and the killing of about 50, according to Palestinian sources.Aisha Nazzal, a Palestinian woman from the town of Qabatiya south of Jenin, stated that the Israeli army prevented her from reaching Jerusalem despite having a special permit.She told Anadolu: "Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa are everything to us Palestinians, and freedom of worship is a right, but the occupation disregards everything."Taysir Balawi, a resident of Jenin, mentioned that the Israeli authorities blocked him from accessing Jerusalem without any specific reason, only because he was from Jenin.He explained: "I obtained a special permit through the Israeli coordinator's platform, as instructed, and there were no security objections, but when the soldiers saw my address as Jenin, they refused to let me in." Long lines were seen at the Qalandiya checkpoint north of Jerusalem and Checkpoint 300 south of the city as Palestinians from the West Bank tried to make their way toward Jerusalem. (Footage by Ameer Abed Rabbo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)