JERUSALEM, February 20, 2026 (WAFA) – Around 100,000 Muslim worshippers on Friday evening performed the Isha and Tarawih prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied city of Jerusalem, according to the Islamic Waqf Department.

It said that approximately 100,000 worshippers gathered at the mosque compound to perform Isha and Tarawih prayers, marking the nightly rituals in the Ramadan fasting month despite Israeli restrictions.

Israel tightened restrictions on Palestinian worshippers seeking to enter the occupied city from the West Bank for prayer at the holy site, requiring prior security approval for entry.

Israeli occupation forces denied thousands entry to the site and barred thousands of others who gathered at the Kalandia military checkpoint and Checkpoint 300, north and south of Jerusalem, from entering.

They deployed large numbers of troops at checkpoints leading into the city and at the gates of the mosque compound.

According to the Waqf Department, the occupation authorities have recently handed over 300 Palestinians from Jerusalem orders, denying them entry to the site.

K.F.