80,000 Palestinians perform Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque despite Israeli restrictions

Tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers have held the second Friday prayers of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, despite stringent Israeli restrictions on the Palestinians’ access to the holy site.

The Islamic Endowments Department in occupied al-Quds said an estimated 80,000 worshippers gathered for the midday prayers.

The mass prayers were performed amid growing fears of continued violence by the Israeli regime and settlers.

Despite the restrictions, worshippers flocked from various governorates of West Bank to enter the holy site.

Israeli forces denied entry to the young Palestinian men from Jenin and Tulkarm.

The tightened restrictions come amid ongoing Israeli raids and crackdown on the Palestinians throughout the occupied West Bank.

The aggression has so far led to the displacement of around 40,000 Palestinians and the killing of dozens.

Hamas urges action against Israeli settler incursions into al-Aqsa Mosque, raids in West Bank

Hamas has called for action against the increasing raids by Israeli settlers on al-Aqsa Mosque and throughout the West Bank.

Hamas censures Israeli restrictions at Al-Aqsa Mosque

In a statement released on Friday, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas said Israel’s restrictions on the Al-Aqsa Mosque constitute religious escalation and systematic targeting of the Muslim rituals in the holy month of Ramadan.

Hamas further called for a “decisive Islamic stance that would prevent the Israeli regime from continuing its arrogance and disregard for the feelings and sanctities of Muslims."

The resistance movement also encouraged the Palestinians in the West Bank, al-Quds, and other occupied territories to intensify efforts to visit and defend Al-Aqsa by continuing their prayers and resisting the restrictions.

On March 6, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved stricter restrictions on the Palestinian worshippers’ access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Fridays during Ramadan.

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