jordan pulse -

Around 40,000 Palestinian worshippers performed Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, despite strict Israeli military restrictions on access.

The Jerusalem Islamic Waqf said thousands were prevented or delayed from entering through Damascus and Lions’ Gates, with Israeli forces checking IDs, stopping youth, and barring many from entering.

Jewish extremists staged provocative singing and dancing near Lions’ Gate as worshippers gathered.

Israeli forces also detained Al-Aqsa preacher and Jerusalem’s Chief Islamic Justice Iyad Abbasi after he addressed Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis in his sermon. He was later released.

Restrictions on Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa have intensified in recent months.