30,000 Palestinians perform Friday prayer at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque
Occupied Jerusalem (QNN)- About 30,000 Palestinian worshipers performed today Friday prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied city of Jerusalem, pledging to protect the holy site from Israeli violations amid high tensions in the area.
Jerusalem’s Islamic Waqf confirmed that despite of Israeli strict restrictions, around 30,000 worshipers performed the Friday prayer at Al-Aqsa, today.
Palestinian worshipers are getting ready to perform Friday prayer at #AlAqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/6sxt0JuvEE
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) May 27, 2022
Local sources reported that well-armed Israeli forces harassed Palestinian worshipers heading to the holy site, earlier today. They also searched and confiscated their ID Cards after deploying in the streets of the city and in the vicinity of the mosque.
Moreover, the forces randomly arrested several Palestinian youths and prevented dozens others from entering the mosque.
Israeli occupation forces search vehicles at Salaheddin street in occupied Jerusalem and randomly arrest Palestinians, today. pic.twitter.com/ZooHP9XS4k
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) May 27, 2022
During the past days, Palestinian factions have called on Palestinians to revolt and to mobilize for prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in defense of the mosque and Jerusalem ahead of Israel’s allowing settlers to mark the annual far-right “Flag March” and pass through Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate and the Old City’s Muslim quarter on May 29.
The Flag March is usually held on Jerusalem Day, which marks Israel’s capture and subsequent occupation of East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war.
The march typically brings together thousands of young, far-right Israelis, who chant anti-Palestinian slogans and wave Israeli flags as they pass through the small streets of East Jerusalem’s Old City.
Last year’s parade took place amid heightened tensions in the city, paving the way for ‘Israel’ to launch a devastating military attack on the Gaza Strip, codenamed Guardian of the Walls.
The May 2021 assault left 256 Palestinians dead and thousands injured, as well as damaging over 50,000 homes and destroying key infrastructure.
The holy site had also been, last month, the centre of days of violence amid heightened tensions following a series of raids and attacks in occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank.
The occupation authorities have allowed settlers’ incursions to the holy site intensively since 2003.
In 2021, 34,562 settlers broke into the holy site, setting a new record, according to Al-Qastal. 19,000 settlers broke into the mosque in 2020 while 29,700 settlers in 2019.
Jews refer to the area as the Temple Mount, claiming it was the site of two prominent Jewish temples in ancient times.
The complex also includes the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the most sacred Christian sites in the world.
