JERUSALEM, February 20, 2026 (WAFA) – Around 80,000 Muslim worshippers performed the first Friday prayer of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque despite tightened Israeli restrictions and measures.
According to the Jerusalem Governorate, Israeli forces prevented thousands of worshippers from reaching the Al-Aqsa Mosque, turning many back hundreds of worshippers at the Qalandia Checkpoint north of occupied Jerusalem and at Checkpoint 300 south of the city.
Israeli forces also reinforced their military presence across Jerusalem and at the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque in recent days, aiming to restrict access to the site. Occupation authorities have also issued more than 300 orders barring Palestinian citizens of Jerusalem from entering Al-Aqsa during the holy month.
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